From 12 to 22 August, 85 young people from 13 European countries gathered in Selva di Val Gardena, in the spectacular Italian Dolomites. Participants stayed at Villa Capriolo, a retreat house run by the Jesuits of the EUM Province, for ten days of prayer, formation, community and outdoor activities.

Two different workshops were offered during the experience. The “Faith & Politics” workshop brought together 30 participants to reflect on the Christian vocation to political life. Through testimonies from people involved in European civic engagement, insights from Ignatian spirituality and opportunities for discussion, participants explored how faith can inform and inspire engagement in public life.

The other participants took part in “Trails of the Heart”, which combined two complementary modules. The first, “Bible and Literature,” invited participants to pray and share through literary texts and insights drawn from film. The second, “Restorative Justice,” explored the art of caring for relational wounds and finding ways to look towards the future.

This was the first international gathering of its kind to take place in Selva di Val Gardena, and both the number of participants and, above all, the atmosphere of the gathering made it a memorable experience.

The ten days were filled with challenging and inspiring input, prayer and reflection, deep sharing in community, play and relaxation — as well as good food prepared by a team of ten wonderfully generous volunteers. The group also went on three day hikes through the Dolomites, including one that began at night and culminated in watching the sunrise together.

After this first international experience in Selva di Val Gardena, participants and organisers are already looking forward to the next edition — perhaps even in winter, when the Dolomites are covered in snow and offer an entirely different, equally enchanting landscape.

Fr. Guido Ruta SJ, Director of the Jesuit work in Selva di Val Gardena