What should I do? How can I help? Where should I go? These were the questions I asked myself when my mother fell sick and I realised that I was being asked to mediate, to make a generous step and to help others with my life. I had originally opted for a vocation with the Augustinian Fathers where I entered the novitiate. But this experience aroused the need within me to draw close to the great mystery of sickness, in silence, despite my lack of knowledge, and my uncertainties. I knew that God writes straight on crooked lines and that my own limitations should not be used as excuses. I blessed that decision and that desire to mediate.

Today, after 25 years as a Brother of St John of God, and having spent happy years with other Hospitaller Brothers and Co-workers working for epileptic children, travellers, the mentally ill, the sick in palliative care … and holding various posts of responsibility and service, I can joyfully repeat, once again, that I bless that decision.

In this University of Hospitality I am enjoying the “smell of the sheep”, sometimes by the side of the sick, and at other times in the office, but always with the same idea in mind and the same concern: to practise the Beatitudes and the gospel of mercy.

I am fortunate to belong to this Order of Saint John of God, which emanates life, involvement, closeness, excitement and the gospel, by the side of the sick and the needy whom we keep very close to ourselves.

I live Hospitality with a capital H, which is the gift that God has given me, and the possibility of working for those who need me.