86 – I leave the church as the sun is setting. My heart is filled with a profound happiness, up to now unknown to me, and which I want to keep. I walk along the valley, absorbed in my thoughts. As well as the asphalt road that leads from Tabor to the abbey, there’s also a footpath hidden by the trees, and which passes across the fields. It lies below the church, and crosses the little tributary of the Starcia, called Colombaiolo, to come up exactly in front of the Tabor Hostel, after having ramped up to the asphalt road that leads to Sant’Angelo in Colle. As I’m walking along the path surrounded here and there by scout tents, and enlivened by their shouts and songs, a brother comes towards me. He looks me straight in the face and asks me if I’m searching for someone.
“No,” I reply, “I’m just taking a walk.” His expression tells me that I have aroused his curiosity. “Are you a boy-scout?” “No, I have never made a similar experience.” “But…” I adjoin as I look about, “perhaps I have missed an important occasion! It seems to me that these youngsters are very lucky. This place with this community is offering them a magnificent opportunity for personal development. I hope they appreciate it.”
87 - The brother’s eyes light up as he says, “You seem quite a smart chap. Come, now I will show you the Sant’Antimo Scout Centre. As you can see it is situated completely amidst the green. Here, in this field, under the big oak tree, in this little ‘baita’ in wood, is the reception centre. On the further side of the Colombaiolo stream, where the ample clearings are shadowed over by olive trees, the tents are pitched. Somewhat higher up, the toilet block and a tool depository can be seen. Quite nice, isn’t it?”
“It’s quite difficult to find something here which is unappealing! But can you tell me when and why the idea of a Scout Centre was born?”
“Most willingly. It was born in 1986, in response to the demands made by big numbers of scout groups in search of a significant and also spiritual place. At the beginning we organised only the reception, with adequate incitements to help the young scouts in choosing a correct direction in their lives, and to help them also in their human, as well as Christian progress. As time went on, the initial proposal was changed, in order to integrate new initiatives, such as the Easter itinerary, the summer route, the Christmas camp, days of spirituality, encounters with youngsters, etc... The Scout Centre aims at offering a deep and intense message, plain and clear, to the many youngsters in search of those important values that give a sense to life. The proposal is prophetic, and uses all the beautiful aspects found at Sant’Antimo, to tend the youngsters towards Christ. The Scout Centre however, is not static. Its future depends on a constant willingness to accept developments, and in keeping pace with the needs of the youngsters. My dear Francesco, no one can ever know what harbours in the hearts of the youngsters that pass by here, but I know for sure that the contact with Sant’Antimo marks each one of them profoundly. I hope that this will avail for you as well.”
I like this priest’s enthusiasm. One can see how he loves the work he’s doing, while his words transmit this love and draw you into it.