"I had a great trip. I found it truly unique to spend two weeks with young people of twelve different nationalities. I was given the gift of having had that time. It's true that we live in different contexts and cultures, and it's great to know a little more about what's happening around the Mediterranean."
What is quite magical, moreover, is to see that beyond the differences that could divide us or at least surprise us, there is something quite natural in friendship: the fact of feeling that each of the people who came had, I think, this desire to share a common peace between them. It created a truly natural fraternity, as if there was something that was anchored a little in our DNA.
It was wonderful to see in just two weeks that a family spirit was born between us and to leave with this image of the countries no longer as points on the map but as the land of friends we have met.
I also share two points on which I would say that this experience has shifted the lines in my heart a little and which have brought me peace.
The first is that I realized that God truly comes to meet Man through all religions and all cultures. I see the human family more as a family that is before him with all its differences.
There is something truly soothing about realizing the vastness of God's love; it is beyond us. It comes to us regardless of our religious background, or whatever means we have chosen to try to make ourselves available to receive his love.
I believe that there is research to be done in education for dialogue, particularly interreligious dialogue, to promote the construction of peace and rediscover the message that can unite people.
The second is an awareness of the personal responsibility each person has to invest their freedom for the common good. Taking part in this construction of peace means first of all reaching out to others.
I often hear people talk about "appropriating one's identity, one's culture" and I think I've discovered how much we discover who we are by starting to meet others, by discovering our own identity in its uniqueness. That it is indeed by knowing our uniqueness that we will be able to build with others the common good which, in the end, enriches us.
I will add one last important point. for me. I found that the sea was a place Really conducive to meeting.
The boat is narrow, which means we live a little on top of each other. This pushes us to be really natural and to be true in what we present to each other.
Aussi, d’être entouré par cette nature qui nous dépasse complètement, l’immensité des masses d’eau, la magie des dauphins dans le plancton luminescent, ce sont images enthousiasmantes qui nous marquent et qui nous prennent un peu aux tripes.
Je trouve que ce sont des choses qui nous poussent à être à la fois humbles et à la fois émerveillés. Ça s’est vraiment traduit dans nos rencontres. »
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