Dear Family and Friends,
I arrived in Venice Sunday morning after an all night flight and a connecting flight from Vienna, Austria. The flight from Vienna to Venice in a small commuter plane was spectacular. The view of the majestic Alps was simply breathtaking. Rocky snow capped cathedrals they are indeed! I once was able to visit the French and Swiss Alps back when I played basketball in Holland and then lived at the Larche community in France in 1976-1977. To see the Alps in person then, and now from the sky, is a gift I will always treasure.
I was met at the airport by two friends of the Community of Sant Egidio (CSE) http://www.santegidio.org/index.php?&idLng=1064.
They who drove me immediately to the home of CSE couple in Schio, about an hour south of Venice. There I was treated to a delicious home-made meal. The welcome I received from friends of the CSE has been extraordinary. After lunch I was taken to a small hotel for a short break. I was then escorted to the town center where I met the mayor along with other CSE friends. We had a photo taken in front of a famous statue of a common textile worker that was made by Monteverdi, the renowned Italian sculpter. The town of Schio, nestled right near a great mountain range, was once a textile center, but over the years the textile industry here closed and there are several huge abandoned buildings. We then proceeded to the hall where I gave a public talk to about 75 people. After opening remarks by the mayor and a member of the CSE I spoke, with the help of an excellant intepreter, about why I, as a murder victim family member, oppose the death penalty and about Gospel nonviolence. I was deeply touched by the ovation I received. In my talk I mentioned that my brother Paul had once visited Itay and how much he loved being here. I also sharedhow much he would love to meet those attending the talk and make them all laugh. CSE friends then took me to a local restaurant where one of the woman in the group has known the restauant chef for sixty years.
Today I spoke at the Techincal Insitute which is the main school for students in the region. I spoke at two different sessions that was attended by a total of 550 students and faculty. It was a very engaging morning and the students had very compelling questions. Some questions included why the death penalty should be allowed in certain circumstances, how can i believe in God after what happended to my brother, How can I show mercy toward Dennis Soutar, the man who killed my brother, and why are innocent people sentenced to death. I was able to share how I daily need to pray for the strength to love, and that if I say I am a follower of Jesus, I must try to show the same kind of love and compassion that Jesus did. I also shared how my faith in Jesus, and the nonviolent example that He offers, is the solution to all the problems of violence that we face on every level.
After a home-made lunch at the house of other CSE friends, I was driven to Padova (where the great Franciscan, St. Anthony, spent time and died in the 13th century), where I will meet with students this evening. I then will travel to the town of Mestre where I will speak tomorrow at two schools during the day and give an evening talk. On Wednesday, November 30, the special international day of remembrance organized by the CSE to abolish the death penalty, I have three speaking events in Padova. And there are more events to come. This is indeed a Journy of Hope and I feel so fortunate to be here in Italy to participate in the Cities for Life Campaign
I am so grateful to you for all your heartfelt prayers and support. Please know I hold you all in prayer and heart.
With love and gratitude,
Dorothy Day CW House
503 Rock Creek Church Road, NW | Washington, D.C. 20010
Phone: 202.882.9649 or 202.829.7625
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