Remembering Don Giussani

by Michael Sean Winters on Feb. 22, 2012

For many, today is George Washington's Birthday. But, for a smaller number of us, today is the day on which Don Luigi Giussani was called home to God. I have never formally been a member of Communione e Liberazione, but I can say of Giussani's books what I can say of precious few other books - they changed my life, opening a window into our Catholic faith that I had not known of previously and through which I have since viewed our Church. Just today, someone said to me, "You are so CL!" which I took as a great compliment. I am not a person given to regrets, but I do regret that I never had the chance to meet this man who has so profoundly touched the life of the Church and so many of the flock.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.

OK, this old man will ask.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Feb. 22, 2012.

OK, this old man will ask. Give me a little about Don Luigi Giussani and Communione e Liberazione.

Google it

Submitted by Prof Google (not verified) on Feb. 22, 2012.

Google it

As I'm certain that

Submitted by Joe Murphey (not verified) on Feb. 23, 2012.

As I'm certain that "Anonymous" and many others have done, I googled Communione e Liberazione. Thanks.

MSW generally only responds

Submitted by jonny beeski (not verified) on Feb. 23, 2012.

MSW generally only responds in very unusual and limited circumstances. C&L has a website, so you may want to check that out, but when spent a few minutes there, I still didn't really know what their deal was, so to speak.

Unfortunately, he hasn't

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Feb. 23, 2012.

Unfortunately, he hasn't responded to you.

I know little about Don Giussani or C&L except that some put C&L into the category of cult. A brief look at their website raises red flags about its founder also, who is treated as a cult figure. After the Legionaries' disaster, it pays to be vigilant - even with groups who are "favorites" of a pope as C&L is of Benedict. John Paul II stopped the investigation into Maciel and even held him up as an "example to youth." Many thought the Legion was dangerously cult-like, and Opus Dei even more so.

It would be interesting to know how Michael Winter's views were transformed by Giusanni's books.

I shall respond to this, but

Submitted by Michael Sean Winters on Feb. 23, 2012.

I shall respond to this, but am slammed right now with a variety of projects, and to explain how Giussani's works affected me is not such an easy thing to say as one might hope. But, I won't forget.

Take some time and that will

Submitted by Joe Murphey (not verified) on Feb. 24, 2012.

Take some time and that will give us a chance to look further into the ideas.

I've found some fascinating insights as well as very dubious judgments. It paints Vatican II as a power struggle with more than two sides accusing the others of secret manipulation. Perhaps that's human. eg. the point that Christianity must be peeled back to the basic injection of Christ the mystery injected in history. That our understandings is constantly "crusted over". If that's the case, there where are notions that leaders are to serve and not to lord it over the others?

Prof Google responds "Google

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Feb. 23, 2012.

Prof Google responds "Google it". That is too simple. The intent was to get Mr. Winters to speak about how and why HE has been so moved, changed by Don Luigi Giussani and C & L. Conversion stories, even short ones, are important to this old man.

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