"Hope then does not disappoint"
Collective art exhibition on Saints and Witnesses of faith from different nationalities
San Lorenzo International Youth Center - Via Padre Pfeiffer Pancrazio 24 - 00193 Rome
Erika Fossati
โShall we take this communion?โ And after receiving it, Gilda smiled and said: โ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ ๐๐ธ๐๐ธ ๐ป๐๐๐พ๐ธ๐!โ ๐ ๐จโ๐ฉโ๐ง I learned about Gilda Cersosimoโs story thanks to the meeting with her wonderful parents, Paola and Pasquale. ๐ถ Gilda loved languages, สแด แดแด๊ฑษชแด, singing, dancingโฆ and enthusiastically practiced swimming, skiing, and volleyball. ๐ซ At just 15 years old, she was diagnosed with Ewingโs Sarcoma, a rare form of malignant cancer. ๐ Despite the grueling treatmentsโchemotherapy, radiotherapy, and autologous transplantโGilda faced everything with a smile and an ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ faith, continuing to bring light and joy to those around her. โญ๏ธ On January 24, 2022, Gilda โ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐๐,โ leaving a spiritual legacy that continues to touch hearts. ๐จ On July 31 at 10 a.m., at the ๐๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ณ๐ฐ ๐๐ฏ๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ข๐ป๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ข๐ญ๐ฆ ๐๐ช๐ฐ๐ท๐ข๐ฏ๐ช๐ญ๐ฆ ๐ฅ๐ช ๐๐ข๐ฏ ๐๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ป๐ฐ in Rome, you will be able to admire the artwork dedicated to her and listen to her parents' testimony. ๐ผ๏ธ The event is part of the collective exhibition dedicated to young saints and witnesses, on the occasion of the ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐, open from July 22 to August 2 near St. Peter's Basilica. ๐ซ We look forward to seeing you. Don't miss it!
#TestimoniDiLuce #SantiGiovani #Spiritualitร #GildaNelCuore #GildaCersosimo #GiubileoGiovani #MostraGiovaniSanti #GiovaniTestimoni #LaBellezzaDellaFede #StorieCheIspirano #CatholicLife
Research Azaleas and Mother's Day.
Parrocchia San Giuseppe Lavoratore (REBA) in Corso Vercelli 206 - Torino
The Azalea of Research returns on Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11, on the occasion of Mother's Day, to brighten up 3,900 squares across Italy. Together with thousands of AIRC Foundation volunteers, we at the Gilda Cersosimo Association will also be busy distributing the plants in exchange for a minimum donation of 18 euros. An important event to commemorate sixty years of commitment to supporting the best independent cancer research.
I Mercoledรฌ della Speranza
Up to the Threshold of Heaven. Accompanying a Teenage Daughter through Illness and Her Return to the Father.
Meeting with Paola and Pasquale, parents of Gilda Cersosimo.
Sacred Heart Youth Center - 42d Marsala Street - Rome
"What struck me immediately about Gilda was her great determination, her eagerness to get things done, her desire to meet many people, learn, and spend time with everyone. Being close to her in her final moments when she was still at home, one afternoon she told me about this: she often woke up at night partly due to pain, and I asked her, โWhat are you doing at night?โ and she said, โI pray,โ and I was very moved! โI pray for two reasons: the first is out of curiosity to see what comes next, and the second is for young people who are sick like me.โ She never once mentioned praying for her own recovery. It was also a valuable lesson for me, who am a friar and do pray, as a friar, a lot throughout the day."
"Gilda was not her illness. The illness removed everything that Gilda was not, leaving bare only what she truly was and is. The Cross is terrible, but its good side is that it shows us the Crucified in all his depth. The Cross blossoms if it is sown from the same soil as Christ. The Cross does not blossom if it is not firmly planted on Golgotha alongside that of Jesus. The first saint in history teaches us this, the so-called good thief. Planted next to Jesus, he steals Paradise."
The saints next door.
"The important thing is to do...I'm happy!"
Meeting with Paola and Pasquale, parents of Gilda Cersosimo.
Church of Mary Queen of Peace. Pope John XXIII Square 1 - 06125 Perugia (PG)
Gilda was a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. Her infectious laugh and fortitude were a beacon to all who knew her. From an early age, she had shown extraordinary tenacity, meeting every challenge with a smile. Educated in the faith, she had embarked on a personal spiritual journey, searching for a deeper meaning in life. But it was illness that revealed even more of the true strength of her spirit. With courage and determination, she faced every challenge, demonstrating extraordinary fortitude and instilling hope in all those around her. Her parents Paola and Pasquale recount that she often woke up at night and prayed for those in pain; during the day she welcomed the beautiful in everything, feeling it as a gift from God: "During her illness she was attentive to everything, she suffered while smiling, without making anyone worry."
When the doctors told her the final diagnosis, she replied with an unsettling serenity: "In July I would have despaired, but now I am ready." She is only 17 and has a name-meaning "valiant"-that really says it all. "Now I'm happy!" she told her mother on Jan. 17, after receiving her last Communion in anticipation of a bigger "communion" in heaven.
Tranquilla qualunque cosa accada!
Meeting with Paola and Pasquale, parents of Gilda Cersosimo.
Parrocchia Santa Maria della Valle - Scanno (AQ)
โAnd so she began to put into her pain, into her cross, the fragrance of Jesus' presence. Already the first phase of the illness, the one that ended with the apparent recovery, had profoundly changed Gilda's spirit. Gilda was not a prude but a young friend of the Lord, a believing young woman, a young believer who left us the testimony of a faith that is not something for old ladies, but a faith that is joy, that is hope, that is strength, that is a desire to open up to others, that is care and tenderness towards others.โ
"Faith is not displayed, the hypocrites do that. It is demonstrated as Saint Peter's letter has taught us. Giving reason for one's faith, this is what Gilda did with us before and during her illness. To show that faith is relevant to life, in joy and in sorrow. We did not see her faith, we witnessed how faith can make one live. And die knowing that one continues to live in the One in whom one has believed."
You will turn my mourning into dance.
"Go, your son lives." Gv. 4,50
On the Third Anniversary of Gilda's Birth to Heaven, Holy Mass will be celebrated on Jan. 17, 2025 at 9 p.m., by don Francesco Buono of Perugia with a testimony of faith at the end of the service by Anna and Michele, parents of little Sara Mariucci.
Church of St. Joseph the Worker (REBA). C.so Vercelli 206 - Turin
The hymns of the Holy Mass, will be performed by the "Great HOPE Choir" from Turin, Italy.
When Gilda realised that she would not be cured of her illness, she went the same day to comfort another sick person who was in hospital โEasy, whatever may happen". To the end she always said, โEasy, whatever may happen, because that is what was meant to beโ. This is the prayer of Jesus when he wept in the Garden of Olives and said: "If you can change this cup, but otherwise your will be done" Homily by Fr. Bruno Ferrero on May 25, 2024
On January 17, 2022, Gilda received her last Communion and pronounced, with a smile, "Now I am Happy."
It is easy to say angel...
The Association, in collaboration with the Cacherano d'Osasco family and the Great Hope Choir of Turin, with the patronage of the Municipality of Osasco and the support of the Pro Loco of Bricherasio and Osasco, organized a musical benefit event at the Castle of Osasco on Sept. 15, 2024 beginning at 3:30 p.m. in memory of Gilda. FREE ADMISSION
Musical reflection inspired by the book "50 angels to accompany you through the year" by Anselm Grรนn
Sister Barbara d'Osasco is in our little ambitious projects, and with this event we are going to present, we also want to reach with our hearts and music, to the Mvanda Monastery in the People's Republic of Congo. The Great Hope Choir is a beautiful reality in Turin. They are a musical group of about 80 artists and call themselves the natural companions for those who want to plan and implement a church event, whether parish, diocesan, national or international. Set in such a breathtaking stage as Osasco Castle, we are confident that the event will be an object of attraction for many people.
Peter Pan - The Musical
The boys and girls of the Parish of Santa Maria del Soccorso all'Arenella (NA) devised a Musical written and directed by Chiara Buonomo and Francesco Giudice with the collaboration of Antonia di Marino, Viola di Scala, Vittoria Uzzauto and the Post Comunio animator corps. Gilda with Chiara and Vittoria, took her first steps in the interpretation of the shows on summer evenings at the seaside in Castellabate. Thanks and them, so many boys and girls made this show whose proceeds will be donated to charity. Participate!
Saturday , June 1, 2024 5:30 pm at the Salvo D'Acquisto Theater - Via Raffaele Morghen 58, Naples.
Metabolic walking
From "I have to do the exercises." to "I want to do the exercises!"
The mission of metabolic walking is to stimulate people to daily exercise so that it becomes an indispensable habit. When a person feels the need to move, in fact, then the habit of movement is established. Biagina Abramo (trainer) brings our friends to train in the park of the treasury (Turin) providing each participant with special wireless headphones creating the optimal conditions to stay focused on her voice accompanied by a musical background.
The students will perform the exercises guided by headphones according to their abilities and especially on the responses they will receive from their bodies. The magic lies in finding the right balance between the external stimulus and the internal response, a balance that becomes more and more stable training after training. This also trains the mind and heart, which are the true keepers of our thoughts and especially our emotions.
On Sunday, May 26 at 9:30 a.m. we meet for a time of celebration, merriment and movement.
Azalea for Research 2024
We collaborate with our friends at AIRC Piedmont on the Azaleas of Research project. Gilda's "The important thing is to do!" will also be for this occasion an invitation to live the present with industrious charity, to make every moment a "yes," a response of love. We are waiting for you!
Saturday, May 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 12 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Parish of St. Joseph the Worker (REBA) at 206 Corso Vercelli - Turin, Italy
Gilda's gift...
the important thing is to do
> Saturday, January 20, 2024
Via Lucis 2023
There is a Love that desires to touch everyone's heart, reaching every man << to the ends of the earth >>
It is the love of a Father who heals the wounds of poverty, abandonment, and loneliness.
It is the love of a Father who responds to sin with Mercy, who knows how to make Himself Presence in pain and who pours out Hope in the small and great expectations of life.
This is the Love we wish to announce with the Via Lucis walk, now in its fifth year, so that everyone we meet may know themselves loved in the simplicity of a thought, a gesture, a word.
A path that invites us and helps us to purify our hearts and eyes, so that we can learn to recognize the Face of the Father in the faces of the least and the saints who are in heaven and on earth. A journey that makes us discover Church with many different charisms and talents, put at the service of Good to bear fruit! See you soon!!!
With friendship,
Giandonato and friends of the Via Lucis
