The first thing that prompted me to watch the Audience live was a very human desire: to be part, in my own way, of what was happening to all the people dearest to me. They were all there. For what reason? Because of a story of gratitude. For nothing else but this. I thought about their choice to wake up at 3 am after a week of work (because you don't have many days off), taking a special train to Rome at 4 am, and catch it again at 6 pm the same day... You only do all this if animated by gratitude; these are things that you only do out of love.

I connected to the live broadcast with some friends, and the first thing I heard were the songs of our history; my heart fluttered. I was very impressed to see the faces of unknown people, all tense in anticipation of the Pope’s arrival. A crowd of people united by the fact that they had known or, rather, encountered the event of Christ in the same way through which I had encountered him. Me, who is currently in Bethlehem where it all began. How often do I begin my day without this awareness, without recognizing the grace I have!

I was deeply moved by the Pope's paternity: he was not there to "scold" us, but to take us back with authority, as a father does with the son he cares for most, from whom he demands the most. What a grace that the successor of Peter is taking us back to the point of supreme affection of the human heart. Of my own heart, first of all. Since I arrived in Palestine, I feel pure nostalgia and pure lack: I miss my boyfriend, my family, my friends, those wonderful faces through which Jesus makes me feel His most concrete and true love. This lack can also become a prison: those ties are signs, stupendous and irreplaceable, but they are not fulfilment. They call me back to the only thing that fills my heart: the Lord, who is showing Himself here through another face, who does not abandon me. Today I have a clear awareness of this, and I know that this awareness must be earned again every day.

Looking back at my daily experience, I cannot fail to grasp the analogy with what the Pope said about Fr. Giussani: "He attracted, convinced, and converted hearts because he transmitted to others what he carried within him after that fundamental experience of his: the passion for humanity and the passion for Christ as the fulfillment of man." How moving! And again, quoting Fr. Giussani: "You have encountered this company: this is the way in which the mystery of Jesus has knocked at your door."

The Pope refocused us on this: Fr. Giussani did not bring himself, but communicated the beautiful claim that Jesus has on our hearts: to be our emotional center. This is my greatest desire this year: to yield to this claim and abandon myself in His arms, like a daughter in the arms of the Father.

Caterina, Bethlehem, Palestine#100Audience