After the positive experience of the summer of 2025 (when in Letojanni, Sicily, a large group made up mainly of young families gathered for a meeting entitled "Training for Life"), the Teresian Association in Italy has organized this year another gathering, from July 28 to August 1, entitled "Take care of me, let us take care of each other", to which was added the famous affirmation of St. Peter Poveda "with heart and mind in the present moment".
The gathering took place once again in Sicily, in Castel di Tusa (most of the participants and the organizing team itself reside on the island), and began on the afternoon of July 28 (a day that culminated in the celebration of Holy Mass for the feast of Saint Pedro Poveda).
As is tradition in our gatherings, the days alternated between formative sessions and moments of leisure and relaxation, the latter facilitated by the wonderful natural and cultural surroundings in which we were immersed: the beautiful pebble beach just a few minutes from the hotel where we were staying; the village of Cefalù, located along the same stretch of coastline, about 20 km away, with a beautiful beach and a historic center highlighted by its magnificent cathedral; and the village of Santo Stefano di Camastra, just 8 km from Castel di Tusa, famous for its artisanal ceramic workshops.
In Cefalù, in particular, we enjoyed a wonderful visit to the cathedral guided by Fr. Domenico Messina, theologian and expert in sacred art, who explained to us with great wisdom, and simplicity, the wonders of this masterpiece, dedicated to the Transfiguration of Christ, whose face stands out in the splendid mosaic of the apse. After the visit, our group celebrated in the chapel of the Seminary, a deeply moving and participatory Eucharist, made even more lively by the presence of our children.
In Santo Stefano di Camastra we were able to visit a ceramics workshop and admire the skilful work of the artisans in the various phases of the elaboration, starting with the making of the vases on the wheel, which particularly impressed the children and immediately reminded us of the figure of the potter, recurring theme in the Holy Scriptures and, in particular, in the prophet Jeremiah (ch. 18).
The formative sessions were led by Dr. Mimy Tavormina, psychologist, psychotherapist, much loved alumna of the university residence of TA in Rome, with extensive professional expertise both in the psychosocial field (in the area of juvenile justice) and in more distinctly clinical contexts.
The sessions, divided into three days, the first dedicated to the “I”, the second to the “YOU” and the third to the “WE”, focused on the theme that gave title to the whole gathering. In particular, the importance of listening to the other person without judging was underlined, as well as the need to live the present with fullness and awareness as the only possibility of building a future as much in line with our values. Dr. Tavormina gave ample space to questions and interventions, and integrated perfectly into the group by participating with her family in all the moments of leisure and cultural deepening mentioned above.
The moment of evaluation, shortly before departure, showed gratitude for the time spent together in an atmosphere of joy, friendship and mutual acceptance, as well as the desire to meet again, if possible not only in summer.
Let's try to "widen the tent".
TA Italy, original Italian.
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