Fr. Vincenzo (english version)

(Words in brackets are my additions for the sake of explanation).

Dear Lionel
Please thank the people who have given the amount that you will send me for the poor.

15 years ago I began (in Cairo) a programme of adoption from overseas. A lady had asked me if she could adopt a child (She gives money to support the child who remains in Cairo with his/her family). I found a little girl of 5 yrs; now she’s married. With time, the number of children rose to 220.

I then left for Jerusalem (transfer) and handed everything to another friar; but he decided for various reasons that I will not discuss here, to stop the programme.

I closed the doors. But now you came knocking at my window with an offer to help the poor. I cannot say “no”. I have seen the difficulties of the Holyland – but the reality of Cairo is very much worse. It is difficult to say “no” when you find children dressed in rags; who at Christmas, do not expect toys but only the possibility to eat a piece of meat and chocolate. A lady who works as a cleaner in a school collects leftover bread, cuts away the dirty parts and gives to these poor children who have nothing to eat.

I not only need the help of your benefactors, but also their prayers that I may find the time and courage to restart this programme that requires alot of hardwork and patience. A girl during catechism class said that if God really exists, then He would remember the poor and not leave them with a future of certain poverty. I tried to tell her, among other things, that even Our Lord experienced poverty. He meets the poor, but He wants to be helped; and the help that each one of us gives to Him with love, we do it so that others may have the bare necessities in order to live; not luxuries. If I do not work hard, then in a certain sense my words to this girl would be false.

I know that Our Lord as a child needed a mother who helped him; and as an adult needed a mother to console him with her presence at the foot of the Cross. It seems that now the Father needs us to realize His plans.

I remember with affection your benefactors even if I do not know them. I know that my affections count for nothing. What is important is that Our Lord, born in Bethlehem, remembers them all. What we leave in His hands is a sure treasure that will not rot.

I apologise for not writing you a poetic, moving or theological letter. I am not a poet, and after much dreaming, I am left with looking at realities; leaving poetry for another occasion.

To your benefactors I simply say “Thank you” and best wishes for a Christmas that brings them and their families above all peace, serenity and the hope of Christ.

Merry Christmas to you too.
Vincenzo