Unforgettable summer camp at Corleone

MY friends and I have been wondering for three days what could have driven 140 young people from Sicily, Calabria and Malta to come to Corleone for a week. There are no trendy pubs or night life in this place. Then there's this terrible summer heat, wobbly camp beds, showers without water every other day. And yet you guys seem happy, making no complaints whatsoever. There has to be a secret and we'd like to get to know it."

Gianluca, with his limpid eyes and a welcoming heart, is unable to hold back his surprise at this unusual youthful invasion of his native town of Corleone, which is more renowned for its crime rate and definitely not as a holiday or a tourist spot preferred by young people.

Corleone, with about 12,000 inhabitants, is about 80 km south of Palermo, the capital of Sicily. This small town, encircled by cliffs, with its precious architecture, fine paintings, and charming landscapes, was once known as the "courageous city" and as the "city of a hundred churches". Unfortunately, today, for many, this town means just one thing - the traditional Mafia stronghold, made famous by The Godfather film trilogy.

The Summer Camp of the Youth for a United World (YUW), entitled "Be a sign of hope", wanted precisely to leave a message starting with its choice of venue - a town that recalls difficult years of darkness and suffering but which undertook the journey towards a revival with great courage and determination. The contribution of these youths was what characterises them most: universal brotherhood truly existed - among children and elderly, managers and employees, priests and lay people, believers and non-believers.

It was a universal brotherhood that wanted to be much more than just a motto for a week. Rather, it sought to be the soul and the deepest root of every relationship, action, gesture, and activity that would have a lasting effect on the hearts of the young participants and of the citizens of Corleone beyond the camp itself.

"We need to spread among as many people as possible, the idea and practice of universal brotherhood... Brothers and sisters know how to look after one another, they know how to help one another, how to share what they have. Real, true, fraternity is the fruit of a love... that opens itself towards others and collaborates to build together unity and peace."

Chiara Lubich said these words when speaking at the Westminster Central Hall in London in June 2004; they paved the way for the summer camp, making their rich and universal meaning tangible.

Everything about the camp - the sports tournaments, the outings, the workshops in music, theatre, photography, and art, the fun activities, and the close and intense contacts with nature - became raw material for the signs of hope to become visible and liveable.

And the town responded with such warmth and welcome that the camp participants felt at home in just a couple of days.

The presence of 14 youths from Malta brought enrichment to the diversity of the camp. Their own words best describe what this experience was all about.

According to one of them, Josianne, "the week's camp was packed with activities and it was well organised. I got to know new Maltese and Sicilian youths; the atmosphere was one where everyone was willing to get to know as many new people as possible. The people of Corleone really welcomed us... some even invited us in for coffee. It's an experience to be repeated!"

For Allen the experience was "wonderful... a whole week of friendship and brotherhood. There were no differences between us coming from two different countries. Nobody cared if we were Maltese or Sicilians or Calabrians... we were one group! It's obvious that to make 140 people look and feel as one, you need the most important ingredient: Love!"

Definitely love was the keyword of the camp. This love had many dimensions, which are summed up as 'the art of loving': a love that is lived with all without distinction, that has no measure, that takes the initiative in being the first to love, a love that is concrete (i.e. not just through words but also in actions), that loves the others as oneself.

Maria understood that "being part of the YUW means to love the others by serving them. Living in this way is really satisfying!"

Perhaps this is the secret that Gianluca tried to discover behind the Summer Camp: love lived according to the 'art of loving'. This was the YUW's gift to the town of Corleone - a love that they believe would sooner or later transform everything, contributing to the building of a society renewed by universal brotherhood.

(Youth for a United World are young people representing different nationalities, cultures and religions. They are part of the youth section of the Focolare Movement founded by Chiara Lubich. They believe it is possible to build a better world, one with greater solidarity, and to create one human family where the identity of each person is respected. To this end, they promote activities and projects on a local and worldwide scale.)