In the heart of Europe, there is a small and beautiful country: it is Slovenia. If we look for it on the map, it seems almost squeezed between Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Italy. Marriage Encounter has been present and lively for many years in all this countries,
But between 3 and 5 February 2023, a small seed was sown in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia! , Ten couples, a priest and a nun were able to experience the joy and strength of the original weekend, thanks to the availability of two couples and a priest from Italy (Irene and Enzo Gianotto, Paola and Felice Raineri and Fr Roberto Populin) and a Slovenian Jesuit priest (Fr Tomaž Mikus) who provided the translation
The seed has been sown. Now it is up to the Lord to make it sprout, and it is up to us and the goodwill of all to cultivate this seed so that it bears much fruit.
It was an important moment for our entire community, and the joy and enthusiasm on the faces of the participants give hope that the experience of the weekend will also go ‘viral’ in Slovenia!
One last historical note, but it is good to cultivate the memory.
The first weekend in Italy was brought 44 years ago by a couple from Croatia (former Yugoslavia). Now an Italian team has given the first weekend in Slovenia (former Yugoslavia).
It really is true what the Gospel says: you cannot keep a lamp under a bushel!
