The joy of giving

Since the 1970s, we have grown up with the concept of giving back: “You do not give of your own to the poor, but you return what is theirs” (St. Ambrose). With the beginning of the Arsenale, the concept of giving back entered into our lives; it became concrete and daily life for many of us who chose to engage in transforming the old arms factory. All the time we had, the material resources, the prayer… In this way, the walls of the Arsenale grew, but without forgetting those who remained outside, the poorest, near and far. Many people, many young people, joined and began to help us consistently. We all felt part of a common project, as if we were laying our brick to give a home to peace. The Arsenale della Pace thus became a point of reference for many people who prayed and worked together, united by service offered freely, and giving back became a method that involved more and more people. The history of Sermig has made us understand how important it is to offer places where people can dedicate themselves, to help others rediscover the dimension of self-giving. There are many people who want to do something good but sometimes do not know how or where to do it, and alone it is not possible.

Giving back does good to those who receive it, but it also does a lot of good to those who give. A few weeks ago, I had confirmation of this from a group of volunteers at the Arsenale who take care of organizing the warehouses. All workers, many professionals with positions of responsibility. They arrived through different paths, at different times, but share evening availability; they can only give time after work and asked to engage in humble services, different from their professions and skills. Their offering met our constant need for help in managing the warehouses. For two years, they have been organizing our warehouses and always bringing new friends to help. They all told us: “I come here with pleasure, I enjoy being with these people, working together, we are a good group, we feel good, and we like this service.” They provide a useful service to our home and are happy to do it, and to do it together, which is an added value. And it is the same for many other volunteer groups. Sometimes we still think that providing a service equals sacrifice. It may be that sometimes the consistency of a service requires sacrifice, but it is above all the pleasure of making someone happy and, in doing so, experiencing that what truly makes me a person is the impulse to give myself freely and to participate in projects of good in generosity.

In the various services, our volunteers today number a thousand. They are very faithful, coming at least once a week, many two or three times. People of different ages, from different social backgrounds – workers, professionals, and managers. People who have spent their lives in command and now accept humble services or put their skills at the service of others without distance. No one seeks privileges. Many are not believers, but giving back unites us in putting the person at the center, in committing to the common good, and this fosters mutual respect. Many tell us that they approached volunteering to find a meaning in their lives and found it in self-giving to make others happy. I would like the Arsenale to convey to all of them the joy of giving back, to be lived not only within the walls of the Arsenale but also in civil society, to help form people capable of dedicating themselves to the community. There is joy in giving, joy in serving, joy in being together. We feel deeply the need to offer it to as many people as possible, bringing people together within a circle of goodness. If we have no one to give something of ourselves to, we lose the sense of being in the world, we become depressed, we lose hope. It is important to re-create places of sharing where people can rediscover the joy of giving.

NP May 2025
Rosanna Tabasso