28 June

Dear friends,

A few weeks ago, I mentioned in one of my letters how pleasantly surprised I was during my visit to the Sant’Egidio community in Rome. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with their local priest, Zeger Polhuijs. We shared a coffee and walked through their remarkable building, the Mozes & Aäronkerk on the Waterlooplein. As we know, buildings often reflect the theology that underpins them.

Zeger pointed out a striking artwork of Christ that hangs to the left of their altar. It is a depiction of Christ without arms—an image that leaves a strong impression when you see it for the first time. As the story goes, the artwork was found among the rubble when the community reclaimed the building. For them, it became a sign of their vocation: to be the arms and hands of Christ in the world.

Next to this image is an altar of remembrance, dedicated to those who might otherwise be forgotten—the homeless, refugees, and migrants of all kinds. It holds a Book of Remembrance, recording the names and short biographies of people who died on the streets. On the altar itself are personal items belonging to these individuals. Among them is a rubber boat, reconstructed by refugees from the remains of one of their crossings.

All of this brings to mind the phrase: vox victimarum vox Dei (the voice of the victims is the voice of God).

We’re now heading off on our summer holiday and are very much looking forward to making some beautiful memories.

With every blessing and warmest greetings. I’ll be back in the pulpit on 13 July.

Marius