Departure and return

 

 

Departure and return

My last days in Italy coincided with Holy Week.

I was able to pray with the whole diocese of Cuneo, gathered around the Bishop, on Thursday morning, with the Chrism Mass. In this Mass, which brought together the priests of the diocese, the institution of the priesthood is remembered and the Bishop blessed the oils that will be used for the upcoming sacraments.

I celebrated the Triduum with the parish of the Immaculate Heart, in Cuneo. Lots of people and great participation. The virus, even if it keeps us at a certain distance, has allowed many to deepen the search for the Meaning of Life and the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus are the key.

Monday morning I celebrated Mass in my mother's house. The last one before leaving. Also probably the last in the house where I lived from 1971 to 74, which is when I entered the seminary, and where I always returned during my short vacation periods.

Together with my sister Marisa and my brother-in-law Flavio I left for the Turin airport. Leaving is never easy, but it is part of our lives. I said goodbye to them, and I left for Amsterdam (where I found the snow!) then for Paris, where I arrived in the evening and where I spent the night.

Tuesday, April 6th at 9.30 am I left for Central Africa. The flight was full and almost everyone got off in Bangui. For health checks and passports, and to retrieve baggage it took more than 2 hours.

Wednesday morning I left Bangui for Baoro. Along the road there was still very little traffic, and many barriers kept by the military. We also met some trucks, escorted by the Russian military.

Today, Thursday, I went to Bouar. The situation is still difficult. Just yesterday there was fighting between rebels and "regulars" in Niem, 70 km from Bouar. In other areas there are still refugees, and like Caritas we continue to try to help them.

I returned to Baoro in the morning and, in the afternoon, I got to visit some schools in the villages together with Fr Davide. Students are few, and schools are struggling to restart after the Easter holidays, but they are open, and this is already something!

Amsterdam

Paris