She is one of the most focused and competent journalists in the field of social journalism. Laura Badaracchi, 52, from Rome, collaborates with various newspapers, including the daily newspaper Avvenire, the weekly newspapers Credere, Famiglia Cristiana, Donna Moderna, Confidenze, the monthly periodical Jesus. She has written and edited several books, surveys, biographies, essays, collections of interviews, anthologies of saints’ inspirations, such as "Luigi Di Liegro. Prophet of charity and justice" (Paoline); "Being a priest is not a Profession. A vocation put to the test" (Edizioni dell'asino); "The saints of mercy" (Ecra); "Born invisible" (Paoline); "Faith as a feminine noun” (Ecra). She recently chose to go through the experience of the Spiritual Exercises.

“I didn't have the opportunity to take a week’s vacation. Furthermore, due to Covid-19, many experiences of the Spiritual Exercises where director and directee are physically present had been cancelled. Then the experience of the Spiritual Exercises, promoted by the diocese of Mantua at the end of July, was completely free: this was not a petty thing for me, having an unsteady job with no work contract.”

The encounter with Ignatian spirituality

"I was familiar with Ignatian Spirituality both through my work and through previous spiritual experiences. I had experienced the First week of the traditional exercises in December 2017 in Santa Severa (Rome), organized by the Aletti Center. Then I continued participating in the monthly retreats in Santa Severa, in 2018 and 2019, until the abrupt interruption of this journey due to Covid-19."

The Experience of the Spiritual Exercises at a particular moment of her life

"This experience came at a delicate moment in my life, after having contracted Covid-19, thank God very lightly, lost my job at the end of June as my contract was not renewed and various other ups and downs both personal and within my family. I needed a week in which to devote more time than usual to prayer and to the Lord. At the beginning of this experience I was somewhat anxious and fearful but afterwards I was filled with joy because God always speaks through his Word and his instruments, the preacher and the guide of the Exercises. To me this was a great and precious gift."

An experience for everyone

I recommend this experience to anyone who desires to go through it, because it is a moment of grace, a precious time to look within oneself and to become aware of what the Lord does in one's life and brings to light even that which seems dark.

A help in difficult times

The Spiritual Exercises were a great help and gave sense to what I had to give up and to my suffering. I had the possibility to go through this experience at home, in my everyday life, as it would have been difficult for me to go elsewhere for this experience. It made me understand that every day I can find a space where to dedicate time to the Word to receive its strength and light.

Jesuits EUM