Inauguration of the ‘Iñigo’ youth centre in the heart of Genoa
An area of about 400 square meters in the centre of Genoa is now at the disposal of young people. The new Youth Centre on the fourth floor of the building in Piazza De’ Ferrari, next to the Church of the Gesù, was inaugurated today.
The refurbishment of the Jesuit residence began in January 2024. “With the reduction in the number of community members, it was clear that the three floors available for the community were not needed,” Fr. Leonardo Vezzani, director of the new centre, explained. “The top floor is being occupied by the whole community. On the fourth floor, we thought of setting up the youth centre and on the fifth floor, we designed 11 rooms intended for students who desire to try out a community living experience.” The Jesuits returned to the building in mid-December.
A Space for a Youth Centre
The Youth Centre was inaugurated today. “There are very well-lit rooms: a large hall with a wooden roof, with rooms on the sides. At the end is the chapel, also made of wood, with a beautiful image of Our Lady of the Rosary. Continuing to the right, there are more rooms and a well-lit refectory that opens onto a kitchen that is available to groups, students, or young people who remain after the meetings.” “Previously, the centre was located in a part of the Arecco school, close to some neighbourhoods. By moving it to the historic centre, we can make it easier for young people who come from different areas to move around and in return come into contact with other young people who may have an interest or need. The goal is to intensify and strengthen our presence in the city for university and adult ministry with the involvement of CLC.
An ideal change
The place was blessed by Fr General Arturo Sosa, who was present at the inauguration of the centre together with Fr. Ronny Alessio, EUM Provincial: “It is a sign of hope that responds to a fundamental idealistic change,” Fr. Alessio explained. “In fact, in recent years, the city centre has become more and more difficult to visit, with fewer and fewer places for young people. This new place, strongly desired by the previous Provincial Fr. Del Riccio, was conceived as a response to this shortage, and represents a valuable opportunity for the many groups that animate our works in Genoa.
Young people in search of hope
The initiative was warmly welcomed by both the city and the local Church and is perfectly in line with the words of Pope Francis, who has repeatedly reminded us that young people are the “poor of today”, in danger of losing hope. In this context, we are called to be instruments of hope, accompanying young people with compassion and helping them to never lose faith in their future.
A space to be oneself
The different EYM and college groups have discussed what the youth centre meant to them. The most common words were sharing, intimacy, word, fun. These young people are looking for a place where they can be themselves, where they can talk about things they cannot talk about elsewhere, where they can experience moments of conviviality and where they can feel welcomed.
A fertile ground for growth
“In this sense, this is the scope of our Centre: a place of growth, meeting and formation, just as it was for Ignatius, Francis and Peter in Paris, when they laid the foundations of what they would become. A bit like Íñigo López de Loyola, a young student who found in this place a fertile ground to prepare himself to become a new man, ready to follow a greater calling.
With this launching, we want to offer our young people a place where hope, formation and personal growth can flourish, and where every Íñigo can become truly Ignatius”.
