I was sent on mission from Bangalore province. For the past nearly fourteen years I am in the mission. At present I am placed in Umbria- Italy Europe. I am engaged in the youth ministry. 
The country:
Italy is a beautiful pennsula with mountains, hills and surrounded by Mediterranean sea. There had been several earthquakes, landslides and eruption of volcanoes in different parts of the country. Some cities are buried by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, many houses disappeared due to landslides. So we had to build new houses and cities. Yet people are rich. Northern part of Italy is industrial area and people are wealthy, whereas the southern part people are poor and work in the cultivable land. In most parts of the country snow falls, sometimes trains and vehicles are blocked or delayed because of snow.
People are musical, Italian language also is musical. They play many instruments. The place SanRemo is very famous for music. People love art; there are a lot of paintings and sculptures. Paintings of Michael Angelo and Dante are famous. People are affectionate, generous, and quick tempered and forgiving. My mission is in Assisi the hallowed sanctuary of St. Francis and St. Clare. It is a pilgrimage centre and very dear to all belonging to the Franciscan family.
Mission Our project is called SHOQUED. In Hebrew there is a fun between the words SHAQUED which means almond tree and SHOQUED which means I am watchful.
The image of the almond tree that awaits the spring time to blossom, gives confidence and evokes HOPE in the One Who always watches and His words come true. We wish that the persons who seek the Lord, be received as they come into our fraternity. We want that Assisi may be a place of mercy, hope and a place of rebirth; as the almond tree is a symbol of hope, may the youth experience hope, and give reason for their hope. May the Word became Flesh become a reality in the life of each person.
Before the earthquake, there were 50 sisters in the community. It was home for our elderly sisters. Since the house was damaged and extensive repair needed the sisters were transferred to different communities. After renovation the house was opened for hospitality for the youth, pilgrims and retreats. Preference is for conducting courses for the youth, those who want to experience our life, who want to spend time in prayer and reflection and who are in search and need our help etc. we also collaborate with the OFM fathers for all the courses they conduct.
Once a year, the youth gather in one place around 25 Km. from Assisi. Some of the friars and sisters also join them in their night march towards Assisi, singing the whole night and during the day they rest. After reaching Assisi they have Mass.
Franciscan March is for experiencing the forgiveness of the Father, lasts for 10 days, ending with the Feast of Portiuncola on 2nd of August. The youth gather in the Friary of their own region and they come walking along with the friars and sisters. On the last day, they arrive at the square of St. Mary of the Angels in the afternoon. As they arrive they continue singing and dancing in the square. The group from Assisi welcome all other groups arriving from different corners. They continue together till evening and they will be accommodated in different hospitalities for the night. Next morning they have Mass in the Basilica followed by Lunch in their respective places of hospitality after which they return to their native places. All the courses, boarding and lodging will be given in the
convents wherever there is hospitality. From each convent some sisters accompany the youth for courses.
Besides we conduct the following courses for the youth: 
Course SHOQUED: work and prayer. To discover with St. Francis the presence and beauty of God in ones daily life one week
Like Francis on the footsteps of Christ: pilgrimage to Franciscan Sanctuaries from Assisi to Greccio and Laverna., to contemplate the mystery of Christ 5 days.
Easter Tridium: From Maundy Thursday morning to Easter Night in reflection and prayer with Jesus.
Year ending: 29th to 30th December- prayer and deepening of the Biblical theme and on 31st Dec. they join in the Portiuncola where the Friars conduct prayer and reflection to thank the Lord for the past year and confide to Him future.
Youth on Mission: We have two days sessions four times a year for the same group who like to go on mission in another country.
We are 10 sisters in the community. All of us are involved in the above activities some way or other.
 Charism I always keep in mind what our foundress said, The Eucharist leads us to our brothers and sisters, and our brothers and sisters takes us back to the Eucharist. I have many occasions to listen to the youth who come to stay with us for courses, to spend time in prayer and reflection; those are in search etc. and the immigrants who come here for bread in search of job, and shelter. During the Eucharist, as I put myself in the Host, I place all these people and their needs and intercede for them. As a community we welcome the guests to join us for adoration and various hours of prayer. We have Lauds at 6.30 am and Mass 7 am in the Basilica of St. Mary of the angels with the Friars, Sisters from various congregations and the laity including pilgrims from different countries.. I feel it is a great privilege to have this occasion and the whole church is present here. The liturgy is enriched by bringing to the Eucharist the cultural practices from all the continents of reverence and adoration expressed by different rites and rituals. Every year we have more than 200 youth for the year ending for the new year celebration revealing the youthfulness and hope of the Church.
The struggles and challenges less hands and increasing workload, great number of
Elderly sisters who are dying in the Province and less Vocations.
Hopes The present youth is the future for the betterment of the mission. Some of the youth who have done the courses here on mission had mission experience, have taken interest on their own and have gone to other countries and spent sometime living among people and working for them. One girl went to Orissa in India after the tsunami and stayed there putting up with all the inconveniences and shared the struggles of the people. In the long run the present youth will be able to continue on their own whatever we do now in order to help others to live the Christian values. They will learn better the true meaning of life and build truly good Christian families and have more vocations for priestly and religious life.
Sr. Rita D Souza fmm
Assisi
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