The beautiful adventure of Grest 2026 concluded with an explosion of smiles and joy. From June 29 to July 17, our spaces were filled with life, welcoming more than fifty children ready to experience three unforgettable weeks.
A Beginning Marked by Faith
Grest began in a special way: with a triduum dedicated to Our Lady of the Garden. During those first days, we guided the children in discovering the history and extraordinary devotion that connects this Marian figure to countless people around the world. We explained how Our Lady of the Garden is not only loved in Italy, but is also a point of reference in every country where the Gianellian Sisters serve, from Africa to America, from Palestine to India. It was moving to help the little ones understand that they are part of a vast family spread across the entire planet.
Moments of Communion
The heart of the celebrations was July 2, with the Holy Mass presided over by Monsignor Luigi Vari, our parish priest Father Antonio Guglietta, and Father Cristoforo, parish priest of St. Peter in Minturno. It was a lively and intense liturgy, made even more beautiful by the children’s songs and prayers, which—with their enthusiasm—transformed the celebration into a true moment of community festivity.
The Final Surprise: Our Fantastic Animators
On July 17, the closing day, the great surprise arrived: a theatrical performance prepared by our wonderful animators to delight the children. These fifteen teenagers, aged 13 to 16, were a true revelation!
They were so motivated that they became not only guides, but real older siblings for the younger children. It was wonderful to see how available, attentive, and sensitive they were to each child’s needs. They organized dances, songs, music, and games, demonstrating excellent animation skills.
At the end of this journey, as a representative of the Institute, I had the pleasure of giving them a small token of recognition, a well deserved certificate of participation for having made our Grest a true school of life and friendship.
Thank You
Thanks to all who made this experience possible: once again, it has been a beautiful page in the history of our educational community in Marina di Minturno.
