The Pope recently met with 500 poor people from Europe in Assisi, Italy. Among the witnesses were Afghans, Poles, French and Spanish, as well as Romanians and Italians. They recounted their painful experiences: from misfortunes and misfortunes to getting up again because of Christ’s love.
(Vatican News Network)Pope Francis met with 500 poor people in Assisi, Italy on November 12. There were also moments for sharing witnesses in the morning’s activities. Witnesses included Afghans, Poles, French and Spanish, as well as Romanian and Italians. They recounted their painful experiences: from misfortunes and missteps to standing up again because of Christ’s love.
Gabriel Barbier from Paris, France was a homeless person. He was born in an atheist family and was baptized at the age of 60. Barbier said, “We are poor people because we can find our strength in Christ. He is our greatest wealth. Sometimes, we are laughed at by the world, but I am a fighter. In the cruel and merciless world, I knew despair, but I found God’s love.” Barbier affirmed that, because of baptism, “Jesus changed me and even made me yearn for holy virtue. My fear is that I cannot pray to God during temptation.” Barbier finally prayed and said, “Virgin Mary, please give me the grace to think of you all the time and beg you. Please come and rescue me.”
Another witness is Mariana from Romania. She is 43 years old and came to Italy 15 years ago. Today, she was in a wheelchair, accompanied by her two children, to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels of Assisi. Mariana recounted that leaving her two children with her husband and coming to Italy to take care of the sick is a very painful thing. After the death of Mariana’s husband, she took her two children to Italy. Eleven years ago, Mariana had a pain syndrome that affected the lumbar spine and legs. She said this “disrupted my family and work life.” Surgery made the situation worse, and Mariana is now a disabled person. She explained that she and her two children were taken care of by Caritas, and several doctors treated her for free. God gave Mariana the power to raise two great children. She said, today “The children do everything for me. I found the power to walk this Calvary mountain road in Jesus. I endured 11 years of suffering. My health has not recovered yet. I have endured these pains by overdose of morphine drugs, but this can only reduce the pain by 20%.” Mariana finally said, “I want to thank Father Eduardo, he has never forsaken me, especially God who still gives me strength.”
Sebastian Olczak from Poland told his experience that God gave him new life. Okzak is 37 years old this year. Before he was 16, he lived a normal life in a Catholic family. Later, he took drugs and alcohol. He said, “I broke the law and lost respect for myself and others.” Since 2007, Okzak has become a homeless person. The Sanctuary Assistance Agency approached him, but it took him a long time to trust them and God.
Okzak said, “In the end I admit that I can’t do it alone. I pray that God will give me a new life, and God will not abandon me. Today, God’s grace is an experience of my daily life.” Okzak finally said, “Before I hated myself, now I accept myself. I feel that I am a free person. Now, I see myself and others through the love of God. I know that to improve myself, There are many things waiting for me”.
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