Nizza Monferrato (Italy). From 30 August to 1 September 2024, at the Institute of Our Lady of Grace of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Nizza Monferrato (Asti) of Mary Help of Christians Province (IPI), a retreat was held for the laity of the Educating Community. The story of the experience:
“Come away and rest a little.” This invitation of Jesus resounded strongly in the three days of spiritual retreat that, for the second consecutive year, the Community of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians has wisely organized at the Institute of Our Lady of Grace in Nizza Monferrato. This is an initiative born in the footsteps of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello, who already proposed to lay people, especially teachers, spiritual exercises to unwind from scholastic labors and recharge in view of subsequent commitments.
It was joined by a large and diverse group of enthusiastic people, essentially united by the need for spiritual nourishment and reflection, in a special experience of grace and inner rediscovery.
Everyone received and lived with simplicity the rich and punctual suggestions for meditation offered by the Salesian of Don Bosco Fr. Genesio Tarasco; moments of silence, recollection, confession/orientation, community prayer, and the Eucharistic celebration, animated by the music of Sister Véronique, Augustinian religious.
They were intense, precious, and regenerating days, permeated by the sharing of faith and Christian values to pursue and cultivate in different living conditions, from the unsurpassed Salesian welcome in the spirit of service, by the conviviality and interpersonal encounter in an environment full of history and inhabited by holiness.
A guided tour in the heart of the Mother House, which allowed participants to perceive closely the particular blessing of Mary Help of Christians over the Institute, was introduced by an interesting illustration of characters and events that over time have helped to realize the special plan of God in that place.
It was a great privilege to feel part of a living community, which preserves and embodies the charism of Saint John Bosco and Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello and spreads them in the world today.
At the time of leaving, everyone expressed their deep gratitude, in the perspective of renewing the experience next year, opening it also to new participants. Fr. Genesio then delivered to the group the message that, from the Tabernacle of the Sanctuary of Nizza, Jesus transmitted to Mother Clelia Genghini and that still reaches us today “Live the present moment, live it with love”.
