I was quite moved by the Fraternity Exercises this year. Many of the things said by Father José Medina and Stella helped me better understand my personal experiences during the last fourteen months. I sensed certain things but had difficulty naming them or putting them into words. What can withstand the test of time?

It was eye-opening to understand that it is human nature for everything to come to an end, and how we can live this fact either distracted and without any questions, or we can ask ourselves these questions to actually live a life. Because with our direction, our eyes, and our heart looking for Christ alive and present here amongst us allows us to face the drama that it is to live. Even if it is hard to see things come to an end.

I was touched to hear and understand that my husband’s illness, thanks to the Lord’s grace, was a process that I had to go through together with his family. I sometimes felt guilty because I know I was a bit tough in my approach, but now I understand that I had to say and do what I did because, if I truly loved him and his family, we needed to face what was inevitable. The same is true in reverse. When I wanted to run away, family and friends helped me stay at my husband’s side as I watched him do his best to confront his illness and say his last goodbyes. It was a miracle, and I was so proud of him for letting us accompany him. Being there with and for him was my opportunity to take care of Christ in the flesh. I feel overwhelmed, grateful, and honored to have been there for my husband as he took his last breath. The room was flooded with love, His love, among the pain and sorrow.

I can only have this kind of consciousness thanks to the School of Community, Father Giussani’s method, and my friends and family. Christ withstands the test of time because He moves us, He graces us with His mercy. He moved Daniel in such a way that I wanted what he had, and that’s how I encountered Communion and Liberation. He moved my friends from Puerto Rico to visit us at the Orlando hospital. He moved our friend Enrico to go to the funeral home. He moved me to see and absorb all the things I was and am living.

Father Medina said that a friend is someone who provokes you to live, helps you to ask those necessary questions. and accepts you; it is not someone who comforts you to survive. This is what makes the difference and makes me see that I belong to Him, and thus to the Fraternity.

Alisa, Puerto Rico