Italy
The testimony of brother Paolo Maria Braghini, Capuchin Friar Minor, continues at the “Go! Franciscan Youth Meet 2026”, an event promoted by the Friars Minor, the Friars Minor Conventual, and the Capuchin Friars Minor, held in Assisi from August 3 to 6.
We at spazio + spadoni are offering it to you in multiple installments, to accompany you in reading and listening to a story that shows us, once again, the creativity and mercy of God.
From Lourdes to Assisi
With my girlfriend at the time, I spent truly beautiful, wonderful moments, and for this, I can only thank the Lord. With her, our love kept growing, and we felt we wanted to get married.
We thought about getting married on September 14 of our first year of university because our financial conditions allowed us to do so. My brother built his family at 18, and he was something of a role model for me. So, after high school, her parents invited us to go to Lourdes specifically to ask for a blessing for our future marriage.
I asked the young people, «Who has been to Lourdes?», and many raised their hands. I was very glad to see that.
Five fantastic days, seeing and listening to the sick and the volunteers present there: and then, the wonderful moments with Our Lady… However, on the last night before returning to Italy, I couldn’t sleep.
I tossed and turned from side to side; I was restless and didn’t understand why, until at three in the morning I felt I had to go back alone in front of the grotto.
I shared this with great joy right in front of the Basilica, where Our Lady, looking down from above, welcomed all those young people.
The journey to Lourdes and the call in the night
Returning to that night before the grotto of Lourdes, right there I clearly heard a voice in my heart saying: «Leave everything and follow me».
It was the calling the Lord had been making to me for years, making me feel it in various ways.
In that moment, at 18 years old, I burst into tears like a child. And while weeping, I kept asking: «And Michela? And Michela?». I was saying yes, but I felt I had to leave behind the great love of my life, which was this girl. Yet I surrendered. I surrendered.
Then, in the following days, I shared it with Michela; we tried, in short, to keep going for a while, and then we decided… Or rather, not decided. We simply understood that the Lord was calling us to something else, and we parted ways.
The choice to follow the Lord and the meeting in Assisi
I experienced a moment of rebellion against God, of distance, and then, thanks to the suggestion of my high school teacher, I took a few days in the mountains — I was passionate about mountains and motorcycles — and that was a turning point: I began to pray and entrust myself to the Lord.
And from there began this allowing myself to be guided by the Lord in a mysterious way. From a trip to Greece came the inspiration to go to Assisi, and I arrived in Assisi as an eighteen-year-old just like many of you, fresh out of high school graduation, for a youth gathering.
Back then there were no mobile phones, no internet, so I arrived truly led by Providence to a meeting of young people from all over Italy.
There was an image of Saint Francis inscribed with: «Lord, what do you want me to do?», the words of Jesus.
And the first friar who introduced himself said: «I am brother Gino, a missionary in the Amazon for 40 years!». I had never seen a friar before; an immense joy overwhelmed me.
END OF PART TWO
