Il MONACO EREMITA che vive ISOLATO tra i MONTI da oltre 27 anni

Summary

The transcript follows a deeply introspective journey of an individual who transitions from a normal life to a devoted spiritual calling. Initially focused on a conventional path of career and family, he finds a deeper connection with his faith and is led to help those suffering from leprosy in Madagascar. His experiences lead him to embrace a life of isolation and prayer as an eremite. The narrative reflects on the power of love, from romantic to selfless, and emphasizes the importance of spiritual fulfillment and self-sacrifice, urging others to consider the true essence of love beyond physical attraction.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker reflects on his life path, initially planning for a typical life with a job and family, but eventually finding a calling to serve in faith.
• 😀 The speaker visits a sanctuary in Pont Canavese, where Father Franco has been living as a hermit for over 20 years, to explore the depth of spiritual commitment.
• 😀 The ossuary at the sanctuary contains the partial remains of 78,000 people, which serves as a silent testimony to lives lived long ago, prompting the speaker to reflect on the fragility of life.
• 😀 The speaker shares a story of their missionary work in Madagascar, where they helped care for 400 lepers who were abandoned and in desperate need of medical attention.
• 😀 The speaker highlights the importance of addressing not only physical diseases like leprosy but also the 'spiritual leprosy' of sin, which led to their decision to dedicate their life to prayer and spiritual support.
• 😀 Father Franco explains the meaning of the word 'SPAD' on the wall of his hermitage, which represents the stresses, fears, and anxieties that impact immunity and health.
• 😀 After 15 years of working with lepers, Father Franco felt a divine calling to shift from physical healing to a life of prayer and spiritual care, focusing on the needs of others' souls.
• 😀 The speaker shares that friends and family were initially confused by his decision to become a hermit, as they had previously seen him working with lepers, but later came to understand the spiritual depth of his choice.
• 😀 The speaker reveals their past experience with love, having once been in love with a girl, but over time realizing that their love for Jesus took precedence, leading to a spiritual transformation.
• 😀 Father Franco discusses the different forms of love in Greek philosophy, emphasizing the importance of agape (selfless love) over eros (sensual attraction) and philia (friendship), which are important but insufficient in a relationship.

Q & A

What inspired the person to dedicate their life to faith and become an eremite?

The person's faith in Jesus Christ gradually grew stronger, leading to a sense of vocation. They realized that while they had been helping physically ill people, there was a greater spiritual illness (sin) that required attention, prompting them to choose a life of prayer and spiritual guidance.

Why did the person initially think their life would be 'normal'?

The person believed they would follow a typical life path, including finding a job, getting married, and forming a family, as these were the expectations they had at the time.

How did the encounter with the ossuary impact the person?

The sight of the ossuary, containing the remains of 78,000 people, profoundly impacted the person. It made them reflect on the silent testimony of those who lived and died, emphasizing the fleeting nature of life and the shared experiences of all people.

What does the 'SPAD' acronym on the wall represent?

The acronym 'SPAD' stands for Stress (S), Fear (P), and Anxiety (A). The idea is that these negative emotions deteriorate a person’s immune defenses, making them more susceptible to illness, both physically and spiritually.

What was the significance of the work in Madagascar for the person?

The person worked to combat leprosy in Madagascar, providing care and building a sense of community for lepers who were abandoned by society. The work was impactful, and the person felt fulfilled in helping people in dire need.

What led to the person's decision to live as an eremite after their time in Madagascar?

After 15 years of working in Madagascar, the person felt a calling to shift focus from physical healing to spiritual healing. They felt God's calling to help people through prayer and spiritual support, leading them to a life of isolation and contemplation.

How did the person’s decision to become an eremite affect their family and friends?

Initially, the person's family and friends were confused and shocked by the decision. They had been proud of the person's work with the lepers, but the shift to a solitary life of prayer and spiritual guidance was hard for them to understand.

What is the role of love in relationships according to the person?

The person explains that love in relationships is more than just physical attraction. It should also involve friendship (philia) and, ultimately, selfless love (agape) where one loves the other not for what they receive but to give for the other's well-being.

What distinction is made between different types of love in the Greek language?

In Greek, there are distinct words for different types of love. 'Eros' refers to erotic love, 'Philia' to friendship or affectionate love, and 'Agape' to selfless, unconditional love that seeks the well-being of others.

What is the main lesson the person tries to teach about love in marriage?

The main lesson is that true love in marriage should involve a balance of physical attraction, friendship, and ultimately a deep, selfless commitment to the other person’s well-being. This kind of love endures beyond fleeting emotions.