Father Victor of Radio Maria Kisangani Interviews Luigi Spadoni
Father Victor Mbatu, editorial director of Radio Maria Kisangani – Democratic Republic of Congo – with the founder of spazio + spadoni on the occasion of the publication of the new book “Work M: The ReEvolution of Works of Mercy”
Father Victor
Good morning Luigi and thank you for being with us. Can you start by telling us what inspired you to publish “OPERA M: The ReEvolution of the Works of Mercy”?
Luigi Spadoni
Good morning, it is a pleasure to be here. The inspiration for “OPERA M” came from the need to rediscover and readapt the works of mercy to the challenges of the modern world with the spirituality that make them imbued with God’s mercy.
We wanted to create a bridge between tradition and contemporary needs, showing how these acts of love and compassion can still be relevant and transformative.
The text and its contents were born out of the union of the hearts of a small flock of people, spazio + spadoni inhabitants from all over the world, who came together and to share day after day the spirituality that is breathed within the walls of St. Cerbone.
Animated by a deep missionary spirit, we wove the different cultures and experiences through an ideal loom that generated the words of the Evolution of Works Of Mercy contained in this synthesis intended to be a summation of a broad choral work.
Father Victor
The title of the book includes the term “reEvolution.” Can you explain what you mean by this concept?
Luigi Spadoni
OPERA M was born from an urgency felt strongly by space + spadoni to reEvolve the concept of the Work of Mercy as a path that is always simultaneously human and divine at the same time, and therefore always spiritual as well as practical or corporal.
The rediscovery, indeed, the real revolution of works must be found within this synthesis of spiritual aspect and practical act. Material operation must always be permeated by the spirit.
Father Victor
What are the main challenges that works of mercy face today and how does the book propose to overcome them?
Luigi Spadoni
The main challenges are related to the complexity and rapidity of social, technological and economic change. The book proposes to overcome them through an integrated approach that includes education, social innovation and cooperation between different realities, including religious, civil organizations.
Father Victor
What impact do you hope “OPERA M” will have on readers and society at large?
Luigi Spadoni
Re-universalizing the works in everyone in reciprocity.
The works belong to everyone and in everyone. But in everyone resides the ability, through works of mercy, to do gigantic things. If we give spiritual meaning to our actions, the potentially great, which is proper to each and everyone as children of God, regardless of creed, culture and one’s class, will produce saving fruits.
The concept of universality, in this missionary vision, the meaning of opening up, to know, understand and be able to build new space of witness.
Father Victor
What are your future plans regarding space + spadoni and the promotion of works of mercy?
Luigi Spadoni
We are planning new educational initiatives, international collaborations and more publications to spread the message of the works of mercy and amplify their merciful impact in the world. The contribution of the Forums that were held in several countries in Africa with great participation and soon in Asia, India and Latin America will be decisive.
Father Victor
Thank you very much for your time and for sharing this valuable information with us. We wish you the best for the success of “OPERA M” and for your future projects.
Luigi Spadoni
Thank you for this opportunity. I hope that the book, which will be translated into more than 20 languages, can really contribute to a positive reEvolution in our society.
To summarize the meaning of the project I like to quote H. E. R. Msgr. Fortunatus Nwachukwu – secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization – Section for First Evangelization – in his preface to the book.
“May this publication be an extra stimulus to see, let us see, show and show each other the face of Mercy. We need it as individuals and we feel the urgency as women men in this community journey in which spazio + spadoni with OPERA M is participating.”
