Art workshops, spiritual trekking, bible camps are among the many initiatives which have taken place this summer for young people despite the limitations imposed by covid19. About 80 young people have been welcomed from July to August at Selva di Val Gardena. A protocol drawn up by professionals permitted 18 young people to stay at the Capriolo. Each were guaranteed a single room with bath facilities.  Thus, although the numbers were lower than usual, the initiative was not cancelled despite the emergency, offering the possibility for young people to make an evaluation of this particular time and for renewal.

The program “beauty will save the world”, which took place between 19 and 25 July, included music, art, poetry, and theatre workshops led by professionals.  Another three-week program between 19 July and 15 August was based on the subject “starting all over again: from me, from you, from us”. This program which will be repeated for various groups provides in-depth studies on “by me”, with a psychological input, “by you”, having a reflection on prayer and reading of the rules of discernment and finally “by us”, giving a broader view of society. Some excursions and moments of sharing completed the program.

“This year too, these initiatives were made possible thanks to the gratuitous availability of speakers and collaborators” Lavelli highlighted.

Some Jesuits organised spiritual trekking for young people between the age of  20 and 30 in collaboration with the Journeys of Life Association.  Another activity consisted of a 5-day tour in Val Maira with reflections on Laudato Si, sharing insights, biblical reflections, contrasting lifestyles and good practices.  Another event took place in a camp at Malga Giuggia in Val Breguzzo, Trento, with the theme "What are you willing to live for. The initiative "100 fins, sea and the Bible in Ragusa", was a program for reading Scripture and for common life. In Val di Fiemme the theme of the program was "The Journey of the Pensive Christ". Finally, “The Miners' Journey” is scheduled in Sardinia from 29 August to 6 September and in October the “Trek a Scampia”, a program of exploration and personal experience with the social realities of the neighbourhood on the outskirts of Naples.

In San Giacomo d'Entracque, Cuneo 3 biblical camps were organised in August, a course in Frosinone and a study camp in Greece with the theme "at the origins of Christianity" starting from 30 August, till 5 September and led by the Living Stones Team.