1. Diospagarasunki

“Diospagarasunki” means “thanks” or literally “May God pay you for it” in Quechua, the native language of the Andes, including Peru. To me this expression holds a very profound desire, it is as if one says: “I am so grateful to you, that  that I am not capable to repay the wonderful action that you have done for me and I, therefore, ask the Almighty that he repay you with his abundant blessings.”

For that reason I say “Diospagarasunki” to the Peruvian people who, for these six years, have taken me

into their hearts with such love. Each experience, each person that I have encountered has helped me

grow as a human being. Thanks, because, with the strength of your faith, you have helped me to have more faith in God.  Thanks because you have teached me to have solidarity for every person and to recognize each human being as a brother.

Now, I have arrived in Italy to continue my service as a missionary, to love this people and the whole world. In these times many immigrants are arriving on the shores of of Italy. The majority are young people from different African countries, with a the desire to better their life or, in many cases, in order to survive. They make a very dangerous trip in boat across the Mediterranean Sea, a voyage that, unfortunately for many, takes them to their death. Together, we are searching for ways to welcome them, not only with food and shelter, but with love and fraternity, helping them to learn Italian, assisting them in obtaining their documents so they can find work and in this way help them move forward in their new life...

We are starting small, smiling.  As many immigrants speak different languages it is difficult to communicate, when we can’t find the words to express ourselves we... smile, trying to convey with our eyes all the love that we have in our hearts. It is in this way that Our Lord opens up my heart to love, not only the Italian people, but also other new brothers.  I feel “sent” to the African continent. I have not had to travel the this continent to meet its people, but rather they are knocking on our door.

I thank God and each human being that He allows me to meet. I feel that these providential encounters and these experiences are helping me to see, to listen and to love with the same feelings of Jesus.  I hope they help you too.

Diospagarasunki

P. José Mariano

Translation from the original in spanish publised 19th of June 2014