For the novitiate has began the long-awaited summer time, a period that even for us novices is full of experiences and meetings, a time when we are moved out out of the Novitiate to experience various possibilities of apostolate in several centers of the Society of Jesus. However, before starting these work experiences, the first stop of summer time is the holiday community. This year we were brought to live this communal moment between the beautiful city of Ragusa, the majesty of Etna, the lively Catania and the welcoming island of Malta.

This holiday “with” the Novitiate – not “from” the Novitiate – allowed us to leave aside for a few days all the various routines of our days in Genoa to enter more effectively into community life, to enjoy and consolidate the relations born during the past year. So, among the natural beauties of the area, the days at the beach, the goodness of the products of this land and the visits to the churches of the Society of Jesus that bear witness to an indelible presence in Sicilian history, we enjoyed being together and seeing our community grow wrapped up by a huge love and a generous and unexpected welcome from the people we met.

Accompanied by the Gospel in prayer and solicited by the various activities, we recognized that – even changing everyday life – the Spirit is present and has gifts on our path to remind us that at all times and in every experience we are alive and we are never alone.