Epiphany marks the end of the long journey that began with Advent, a time of waiting for the coming of our Saviour: the birth of a child ‘in the cold and frost’ of a manger, who then became the Light to enlighten the nations and the salvation of all peoples. This period culminates in an encounter: that of Jesus with the Magi, who came from distant lands to worship him, bringing their most precious gifts; just as, on Christmas night, the shepherds, roused by the Angel, went to meet the Messiah, the One who would bring salvation to all humanity.
Our parish has organised a number of initiatives to help us prepare our hearts for this encounter. These initiatives are aimed both at children, who are following the catechism programme together with their families, and at all those who feel they belong to a community, much like an extended family.
For the children, ‘Ten Minutes with Jesus’ sessions after school, where we reflect on the Sunday Gospel and, in the final session, discover the characters of the Nativity scene; whilst for families, there was the opportunity to meet the priests of our community and invite other families along – a gathering amongst friends where we could build relationships, share joys, doubts, and even the anxieties of these times.
Advent, a time of waiting, a time of conversion and preparation: so, on Saturday 2 December, at the Oratory in Via Giannoni, a time of reflection on the theme of Christmas was organised for families, followed by an aperitif and light supper to prolong the sharing…
It is lovely to be able to pause for a moment in a life that feels like a race against time, with everyone caught up in a thousand things to do; even exchanging a few words becomes a gift…
On Thursday 7 December, the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, our Sisters organised a beautiful prayer vigil in the parish church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, their patron saint, whilst on Monday 11 December we gathered around the Blessed Sacrament. To welcome Jesus into our hearts, we must learn to listen, and we can only do this if we place ourselves before that Host, just as the Magi did in the cave, before Jesus.
Also for the children, on Saturday 17 December a performance was organised, entitled ‘S.P.Q.R.’ – ‘We Always Bring a Gift’ – presented in the parish church and organised by Sister Emanuela. Set in Palestine, where the consul Sulpicius Prudentius Quintilianus Regulus (S.P.Q.R.) organised the census on the orders of Augustus. Following a comet, three Magi, having come from the East, bring three gifts intended for a newborn King in the little stable in Bethlehem. The tax collector Gabellium, suspicious of the three strangers, decides to seize those gifts. That’s quite a problem. What alternative gift might they offer the infant King? It is wonderful to see the dedication of our children and young people. With the Novena, which for many years now has accompanied our parish through the mystery of Christmas, and the magic of the ever-changing nativity scene, skilfully created each year by Fabrizio Occhetti together with other volunteers, we are now entering the heart of the celebrations, nine days separate us from the birth of that child, accompanied by the carols that are repeated evening after evening, yet which never grow tiresome. Christmas has arrived and the parish community has gathered to celebrate a meeting with the infant Jesus, in the various services on Christmas Eve, at the church of Cascinone at 6.00 pm and at the parish church at 9.30 pm and 11.15 pm, led by the youth choir and the parish choir, and on Christmas Day at 8.30 am and 10.30 am in the parish church and at 10.00 am at the shrine at Cascinone, all of which were very well attended.
Jesus is coming, Jesus is born to become our travelling companion, our support in times of trial.
An exceptional event for our parish took place on Tuesday 2 January: the visit of the choir ‘Les petits chanteurs’ from Grenoble Cathedral, who, on their return from a gathering of children’s choirs, had the honour of singing in the presence of His Holiness, Pope Francis, and treated us to a display of their talent. This event was made possible thanks to the efforts of various associations, with the aim of establishing a children’s choir here in Sant’Agabio as well; music that unites, music that brings many languages together into one…
May this spark truly bring something beautiful to our parish and to our neighbourhood, which is all too often neglected.
The editorial team, together with Don Massimo Volpati, Father Andrea Vigliarolo and Don Emanuele Cardani, wish everyone a peaceful and happy New Year.
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