Arriving in Loppiano in the midst of the pandemic in 2021, Valentina Alarcón, defended her thesis on “Education for Dialogue and Culture of Peace” on April 30 this year. “Three crucial years of my life.”
At 23 years old, she became an industrial engineer and decided to work on projects to overcome poverty. Then, she worked at the main universities in Santiago, Chile, to innovate problem-solving education. Valentina Alarcón, from Concepcion, the second-largest city in Chile, has everything she needs to make her way in her professional life, as well as in the ecclesiastical field. She is part of the Schoenstatt Movement (founded in Germany in 1914), with a deep Marian spirituality, and she graduated in theology. She participated in the Youth Synod promoted by the Chilean Catholic Church. In September 2019, she read the Pope’s letter inviting young people to start the Economy of Francesco. “I responded to the Pope immediately.” In December, she received the response. “I was accepted to be one of the 2,000 young people invited, but also chosen among the 500 called to work first and longer, in preparation for the first global meeting in Assisi.”
In a short time, Valentina had reached high-level achievements. Yet, something still unsettled her. “For four years, I had been looking for a master’s program that included interdisciplinarity, interculturality, and spirituality.” She discussed it with various professors. Three of them, within two weeks (without having coordinated with each other), sent her the link to the Sophia University Institute. “I visited the site and was very impressed by the academic offerings. I enrolled immediately.” In September 2020, she took online Italian courses. The following March, she arrived at Sophia and discovered the citadel and the Focolare Movement. “I was struck by the warm welcome I received.”
On April 30th, she defended her master’s thesis in Culture of Unity, with a focus on “Education for Dialogue and Culture of Peace”. She will leave Loppiano at the end of June “to seek a job that allows me to better serve society.” “These three years at Sophia have brought about a great transformation in my life, transitioning from a period of closure due to Covid to one of total openness. Sophia has developed the ability to ask questions rather than just provide answers to others. It seeks answers together with others, with an attitude of humility.” She served as a student representative.. “In this role, I participated in the significant change of the new strategic planning of the courses. We walked together among all components of Sophia. It was a wonderful experience!”
There were also other surprises. “I came to know the charism of unity and was able to live it within the citadel. I was impressed by how the inhabitants put it into practice, not just through the words of Chiara Lubich.” She pauses for a moment and adds, “I was deeply touched by Jesus Forsaken. It is the most beautiful thing that has been shared with me. It is the secret to love.” Finally, the shrine. “I cannot imagine my experience at Sophia and Loppiano without the Theotokos, its beauty, its welcome. I believe that without the Theotokos, Loppiano would no longer be Loppiano.” She pauses again. Valentina reflects, “Mary is the most direct and quickest way to reach the Triune God. She shows us the call to live holiness through Jesus Forsaken.” And she beams with a bright smile, “These three years have been fundamental for my life. I wish my gratitude could reach everyone in the citadel, everyone at Sophia, at Bonfanti Industrial Park, and The Economy of Francesco, who have given me the grace to walk together over these past years.”