First the lectio on the mission of the Twelve apostlesthen the sign with a perfumed oil from the Holy Landfinally the chatter and greetings in the fraternal atmosphere of Casa Giovani, the diocesan structure dedicated to youth ministry. So monsignor Andrea Andreozzi, bishop of Fano-Fossombrone-Cagli-Pergola in the Marche, blessed the students who from June 18th they will take the final exam. A wish directed to the 50 young people present but valid for all high school graduates in Italy.
«During the lectio I insisted on the double value of the mission: the disciple is the one who learns, the apostle is the one who is sent. To be sent you must first learn, have the humility to let yourself be prepared, trained through the life experience that the Master proposes». A clear image for students facing state exams. Thus, addressing them directly, the bishop continued: «You have experienced five years of formation and now you receive the task of moving forward in life alone, with full responsibility. Everyone is confidently entrusted with a task, carry out yours and do it seriously.”
Sent on a mission, Andreozzi further noted, the apostles leave without Jesus. «In the same way you students too. Even if you don’t feel completely ready, throw yourself in, trust and live the responsibility assigned to you. And go calmly before the commission.” The young people, the bishop reports, listened attentively and excitedly. «They had a load of joy, freshness and concentration – the cardinal further notes – The stage they go through is beautiful, full of intellectual and emotional dimensions, as well as new perspectives».
For high school graduates from all over Italy, exams will begin on Thursday 18th with the written Italian test. Following, on Friday 19th, the second orientation test, then the third – where scheduled – on 25th June and, finally, the oral exams. In the climate of prayer at Casa Giovani in Fano there was no shortage of smiles and invocations for peace: «They are days to be lived with passion, in the double dimension of trial and effort but also of intense living – Androzzi concluded – passion is the soul of life, I wish the students to feel passion for the years of study that have just ended and for what they will begin in September».
