Italy - Rome

From 7 to 9 December, the Lay movement of young Betharramites (BetharrAmici, friends of Betharram) held their first meeting in Rome and they were put up in the Generalate. On Saturday afternoon, after two talks on St Michael Garicoits, they put to the test their betharramite spirit by evangelising the passers-by at Piazza del Popolo.

While in the church Santa Maria dei Miracoli the Group called the Friends of Jesus, Joseph and Mary (a prayer group, guided by some Betharramite Religious, gathering on Tuesdays night in the same church) led a three-hour long adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament, the 10 BetharrAmici, coming from Montemurlo and Lissone, scattered among the people outside the church and gave Free Hugs to the passers-by inviting them to pop into the church for a moment of prayer. They would hand everybody a candle and a piece of paper on which to write a request or a personal intention. At the end of the adoration 500 small pieces of paper had been given out and were found filled with prayers in a basket next to the altar.
This joyful experience injected hope and strengthened the bonds of friendship and unity.