Benedetta Capelli – correspondent in Buenos Aires
A loud voice, a joy that is impossible to miss – all this is the complete opposite of the attitude of certain Christians, of whom Pope Francis has often spoken: people who seem dissatisfied and therefore unconvincing. It was precisely in Francis’s homeland that the vocation of Father Renato Maizza blossomed.
His parish is dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene and is located in the town of Paso del Rey, more than 35 kilometers from Buenos Aires, in the area known as the conurbación, a vast metropolitan agglomeration of the Argentine capital comprising several neighboring municipalities.
Two girls from the parish, Alexandra and Jessica, will perform on stage with Leo XIV during the prayer vigil, which will take place on November 10 (shortly after midnight Polish time on November 11). From the Diocese of Merlo-Moreno alone, 4,000 young people have registered to participate in this event.
Where the Church is present
For years, many initiatives have been undertaken here. These include two soup kitchens that welcome about 400 people every day, and a social-educational center helping young people who have dropped out of school or have difficulty continuing their education. Support is also organized for those who want to start university studies. Caritas is also active in the parish, bringing help to many in need.
For this is an area struggling with immense difficulties. There are no slums in the form of shantytowns, but there are poor neighborhoods where housing is lacking, jobs are hard to come by, and loneliness is widespread among the elderly. “What worries us even more,” Father Renato recounts, “is the drug trade. That is why, as the Church, we strive to be present in order to bring the Gospel and restore human dignity.”
The parish thus becomes an important point of reference for the entire area, “an extremely important place for meetings and community building, especially for young people. When the Church reaches out to people, when the spirit of community is nurtured, true, beautiful, and valuable interpersonal bonds can be built.”
The charisma of the young
Father Renato dedicates a lot of attention to young people. For nearly five years, he has been responsible for youth ministry in his diocese, and he is also a scout chaplain. “We have a wonderful group of young people who are very involved in the activities of the soup kitchen and Caritas initiatives. We adults often tend to judge them. Meanwhile, from my experience, they primarily need someone who will reach out to them, accompany them, not judge them, but help bring out the full potential and charisma they carry within themselves.”
“In our parish communities,” he adds, “many activities are run precisely by young people who rediscover something truly beautiful in serving others. Thanks to this, they feel they are important.”
To have big dreams
The Italian priest speaks of experiences that seemed downright unattainable for some of the young people in his area. “We took 17 young people from our neighborhoods to the Jubilee. On their own, they would never have had the opportunity to participate in such an event. We managed to do it thanks to a tremendous effort. These were young people who were leaving their neighborhood for the first time in their lives, flying in a plane for the first time. And it was during this experience that they discovered there is something extraordinary that we adults are often afraid to offer them.”
Helping them believe that they can dream, and dream of great things – Father Renato admits – means making them realize “that when we act together, when we join forces and engage in the service of others, anything can happen.”
“My optimism is born from the Gospel, which becomes incarnate in a concrete reality, in the social fabric and in an environment that is accustomed to coping with what it has, even though it often has little. If we look at these young people with a pure gaze, without judging them, without constantly labeling them, but simply accompanying them, we can bring out all the goodness they carry within themselves.”
A Church journeying together
There is an atmosphere of enthusiasm in the parish regarding the Pope’s arrival in Argentina. The enthusiasm has caught on with everyone. Starting from the very first day of the Pope’s visit, November 8, events prepared specifically with young people in mind are being organized.
Father Renato is particularly surprised by the atmosphere of cooperation between parishes, which meet to undertake various initiatives together. Waiting for the Pope and then his arrival allowed them to overcome the distances separating them and the temptation to close themselves off in their own environment and limit their activities to their own circle.
Now, however – Father Renato emphasizes – “we truly are one great Church journeying together, one great family.”
“The Pope, at this special moment in history, will help us rediscover that we are brothers and companions on a common journey. We will not look at differences, but rather perceive them as an opportunity for mutual growth.”
This is a Church working hand in hand to welcome everyone in unity and eagerly await the message of the Successor of St. Peter.
