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ITALY, Federico Bauml. January 6th, Feast of the Epiphany. On January 6tth, a traditional luncheon for the "homeless" was held at the Holy Patrons parish, the Italian "home" of the Schoenstatt Fathers. The Saint Egidio Community, Caritas, and the "Hope" Center organized it.
Our guests
There are those who call them the "bearded ones," others prefer the French term "clochards" which means "vagabonds," and there are also those who use the politically correct term- "homeless".
There is another group of people who simplify everything calling them "friends," and they strive to make them feel at home, welcomed, and that for one day, they can feel that there are those who have not forgotten them.
The guests (almost a hundred people) arrived at approximately 1:00 p.m. when everything was ready and organized. They were happy, their eyes were shining. For them it was truly a day of celebration and not because it is written on the calendar, but rather, because there was something to celebrate. Like at all great occasions, one must show their best side, most of all, because the luncheon was organized for them; it was a luncheon with them. In this case, one preposition or another makes a big difference. It is the same as the difference between "alms" and "friendship".
There were so many different lives, so many different experiences, so many different languages, but they were united in a single universal language: love, as Father Gerardo mentioned in the initial greeting.
The day
In order to take care of the social part and to organize events for so many people, enthusiasm and willingness is necessary, and another natural talent is indispensable: a smile. But these beautiful qualities alone are not enough if there is no daily work and thorough organization so that things will work out in the best possible way. In fact, there were many days of work in preparation for the luncheon on January 6th.
On the day of the Thee Kings, there was great enthusiasm since early in the morning. The ladies were in the kitchen, and others were arranging the hall so that everything would be in order.
11: p.m.: final meeting before the great beginning. Each person had an assigned task; each one was like the hand of a clock timed as a perfect mechanism.
After the meeting, the majority of them went to Mass; it was Epiphany, the day that the Three Kings visited the Redeemer.
1:00 p.m.: the first guests began to arrive, and they should be welcomed in the best manner possible. In these cases, the best welcome is undoubtedly a beautiful smile– a sincere and authentic one.
Once they were seated at the table, the luncheon began, it was truly a Christmas lunch as a family (congratulations to the cooks, everything was delicious!).
After lunch, and after the unforgettable toast of good wishes, there was another surprise for our friends: what would Christmas be without Santa Claus and gifts? He arrived with bags filled with gifts for everyone: for the guests, for the children, and also for the organizers and the volunteers.
There was an atmosphere of celebration, of family, and of peace!
... “Because when one gives one receives!”
After the luncheon, everyone was very tired, but very happy. They were also a little hungry, since it was already past 3:00 p.m. and they could not wait to also taste the lunch menu, which they had truly earned.
After arranging the halls, they sat at the table. They could still see and remember the entire splendid day that had just occurred; that subject monopolized the conversation during the meal.
They realized that on occasions like these, they gave something, but in reality they received much more than what they offered.
Everyone who participated in the task received a warm expression of gratitude, since they had done their best, placing their heart, arms, and mind at the disposal of this event that has been carried out for years. This luncheon for the “homeless” is only the tip of the enormous iceberg, which are the apostolic tasks that are carried out.
If Father Kentenich had been with them, he would have motivated them saying: “he who serves others selflessly, is on the way toward true richness.”
The road toward this richness is not built with extraordinary deeds and gestures; but rather from the small daily bricks, such as the luncheon, such as the centers that collect clothes, the dining halls, and a smile, a word that is shared, or an ear that is offered to someone who needs to be heard and waiting for someone willing to listen.
As always, Mother Teresa is right: “the important thing is not how much is given, but rather how much love we place in giving.”
Celina M. Garza: Spanish/English translation - Melissa Peña-Janknegt: English edit
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