Father Jean Christophe ., founder of a new community in France gave this testimony: While a seminarian in Rome, he liked to visit the children's prison of Casa Del Marmo where Gypsies were being incarcerated for thefts and small offences. Some children did not have any identification papers and were not entitled to receive visitors, because nobody could verify who was a family member. However, Jean Christophe was accepted as a visitor and became a link between those children and their families. He would bring them clothing, as some would stay for a whole month without being able to change, unable to receive parcels. In this context, Jean Christophe knew some Gypsies from Bosnia who had set up camp close to Rome. The poverty there was terrible.
In the camp, he met Jiani, 22 years old, a Muslim, married and the father of two children. Very outgoing and dynamic, he had a great impact on his entourage and people liked to gather around to listen to him. He was full of initiatives, good ones as well as bad ones. One day, Jean Christophe visited Jiani in his little hut made of wood and cardboard. He found him totally depressed, mute for pain and closed, hiding his arms. Then Jean Christophe realized he had no more hands!! What had happened? During a recent break-in, Jiani had encountered a metal door that was electrified, and the current had kept his hands stuck to the door.
When his two buddies saw that, they could not think of any other way to save his life than cutting his hands off. Jiani fell into deep depression and wanted to commit suicide. Choked by this tragedy, Jean Christophe did not know how to react. What could be said in face of such a horror? But Jean Christophe always has his inner jacket filled with goodies" to pass around, and it occurred to him to pull out of his pocket a wooden crucifix (the St. Damiano one, so dear to St. Francis of Assisi) and to leave it by Jiani's bed. He also said a few words to him about Jesus before leaving. A month later, Jean Christophe came back into the camp and found Jiani completely changed. He was surrounded by a little crowd and speaking joyfully. Back to himself, he heartily welcomed Jean Christophe who asked him: - What happened to you, Jiani? You look so cheerful today?!-It is thanks to you!
Then Jiani explained to Jean Christophe that after his visit, he looked at the Crucifix calmly and noticed that Jesus had his two hands nailed to the wood. He said to himself, He is just like me! If there is anyone who can understand me, it is Him! I lost my hands because of a robbery whereas He offered them for us! And Jiani concluded: - He can only be God!
Jiani asked to be baptized a Catholic. Since he was the leader, as it often occurs in the Gypsy culture, his whole clan was baptized with him as well as his friends. Besides, they started seeing Jean Christophe as their wiseman. Therefore he was able to announce Jesus in the camp quite openly! This Muslim received life by looking at the Crucified One
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