Press > Press Releases

February 3, 2006 To the whole Great Community of Felices los Niños Children's motto 2006 "Studying is like a staircase. Each year is a step. At the last floor you will find YOURSELF, FREE AND FULFILLED! DON'T DESIST FROM CLIMBING!" Motto for 2006: Studying This year we experience studying as THE STAIR which children and teenagers must recognize as a means to reach their ideal and their calling. STUDY: Its motivation lies in the identification of a goal to be reached. Father Grassi at the Home in Chacarita CALLING: Whoever feels he is PART of this world, NOT BEING THROWN INTO EXISTENCE BY CHANCE, goes for a certain role at some place, to be part of the world. SELF-ESTEEM:  "You can" says the educator. He never humiliates a child but he accompanies it, so it gives the best of itself. REWARDS & PUNISHMENT: It just isn't right when a child REPEATS and EVERYTHING IS OK. We don't support out-of-place repression, but... A child may not take the liberty of letting everything go without having complied with school subjects at the end of the year, showing no interest if it is going to repeat, in short, having no feelings: The day of tomorrow this lulled awareness will make it drop its studies and its family, and it will betray itself. We must devise a methodology by which we can instruct in learning and in reading books. Let us motivate children so they feel the necessity of getting education, of doing research in order to reach truth. In catechesis let us emphasize the exposure to the Holy Scriptures and the orderly teachings of the Truths of Faith. STUDIOUSNESS is the best way to get out of poverty and dependence: Study makes Man free and great: The truth shall make you free (Jesus). In truth is peace says Benedict XVI: this is the reason why we must go on without rest in our daily work at the School of Peace! Blessings Father Julio César Grassi Founder and Spiritual Father Felices los Niños Foundation

November 1, 2004

May the Holy Spirit wake up the Sleeping Giant of Laity and the whole beloved Catholic Church.

The Church is asleep:

Those of us who are Catholic laypeople or who are consecrated to God in ministry, we all were called to live THIS TIME, these historic circumstances which will determine the future of the Church in the next decades, in the next 100 years.

It has been internationally acknowledged that for the last two years there have been very strong advances in the defense of ABORTION, in abortive contraceptive techniques and even more so, in putting aside the Catholic Church in two of its strong points: Education and Welfare, which always go hand in hand with Evangelisation.

We educate with and in Christ: this is our distinctive mark, we feed in the name of Christ and multiply Bread so we can later multiply the Bread of the Word and the Bread of Eucharist.

What is happening in Argentina is a never before seen and fierce persecution of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church.

In order to conceal this fact they try to have some Bishop or priest on their side, following the logic of "I'm no anti-Semite because I have a Jewish friend" to make believe people that "everything is all right"... THEY WANT PEOPLE TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS THEM WHO SORT WHEAT FROM CHAFF.

When hearing about any abuse to the Church, this "light time" also makes "many of us" think to ourselves Why should I get into trouble?

On November 1st, the Feast of All Saints, (always more shadowed over by Halloween) let us remember each and every Holy Martyr who in difficult times "risked everything for Christ's sake" telling what he had to tell at the time he had to say it, dying for it.

Let us reflect about the saints who for defending the principles of the Church died in forgotten loneliness but did not let anyone convince them although they were despised by friends and family.

On this day of All Saints let us remember all those Saints who were not afraid to tell the truth to Kings and Judges, Rich Men and Common People in spite of lack of understanding and persecutions.

Today our Church, both laity and clergy IS ASLEEP! "Its voice cannot be heard, its struggle cannot be seen, it lets others step upon it" and this is no humility: It is negation.

There were Saints who preferred to die rather than desecrate a small image of the Mother of God and today we see how people make brutally fun of the Virgin Mary causing just a slight hint of uneasiness at a Catholic News Agency.

Our Church is allowing to be run over with "discrediting campaigns" against her Bishops (remember for instance the case of Mons. Maccarone) and her priests (remember Fr. Grassi's case) and we must watch how starting from these never proven infamies abortist projects and others opposing Catholic education and the Church's Homes (remember the case of the Capuchine Tertiaries in San Luis) were hurried in. Of course her we have seen the case of a Bishop (Monsignor Luna) who stood his ground: He put himself at the head of Catholic parishioners and confronted those with might who wanted to cash in the Homes of the Church. Maybe he did not achieve everything he wanted but he made others respect them and they won as they united and went to the streets.

Our Churches lukewarmness, the lack of reflexes needed to react in time as a whole make those who want to destroy her sing in victory while we loose ground day after day.

We are giving away for free this ground opened by "thousands of missionaries" to sects and to no one who very well know how to take advantage of "our disgraceful retreat".

May God make the miracle of Unity happen soon and may the Holy Spirit wake up the Sleeping Giant of Laity and the whole beloved Catholic Church.

"Familias Solidarias (Solidary Families)"
A nonprofit organisation

May 25, Homeland Day

Festivities at the Santa Rosa de Lima Home

The Santa Rosa de Lima Home in Suncho Corral, Santiago del Estero, was home to a simple festivity remembering this day which for Argentinians is so important, in order to teach the children to honor homeland festivities.

The children's parents, collaborators and friends were invited, while educators and children were in charge of the celebration.

As on all festivities the children were given a special breakfast (hot chocolate and croissants), and locro was served for lunch. All this food was made at the Home.

Long live the Homeland!!

May the year 2004 be a year of Peace

Father Grassi giving out Holy Communion

Mass at Obligado Settlement, an evidence of Works in action

Buenos Aires, January 4, 2004 - No one wanted to miss this appointment on the first Sunday of the new year. Father Julio César Grassi, founder of Felices los Niños, the foundation which fully assists and sponsors 6600 minors in 6 Argentine provinces, celebrated mass at the beginning of this year 2004 on the construction site of this work which is being erected in Obligado Settlement in the San Miguel district.

The simple altar where Holy Mass was celebrated surrounded by the main figures, the children

This crowded borough lacks many features, so the Foundation at first tried to reach people by means of an oratory where catechistical and pastoral work brings the community together. The Padre Pío Residential School is being built thanks to donations coming from Italy where our untiring contributors not only contribute to this work but also to others the Foundation operates, such as the San Francisco de Asís Shelter in José León Suárez for the children of “cartoneros” – people whose job is to collect paper and cardboard discarded by stores and households in urban centers for sale and recycling.

Father Pío de Pietrelcina (1887-1968), who inspired the name of the new Felices los Niños work, was a follower of St. Francis of Assisi who became a novice at the age of 16 in Morcone with the order of Capuchin Friars Minor, until in 1910 he was ordained a priest. He made a commitment to alliviate the sorrow and misery of many families, particularly by the foundation of the “House for the Relief of Suffering” which was inaugurated on May 5, 1956. On February 20, 1971, just three years after his death Paul VI referred to him in these terms while addressing the Capuchin Superiors:

In his sermon Father Grassi urged the community not to give up when faced with adversity, to face this starting year as a year of Peace and of struggle. The Padre Pío Residential School will assist those more in need of the West area of Greater Buenos Aires. It will provide all activities of a day care center, besides of which its school will cover the needs of this crowded town which can't gain access to another kind of education.

Father Julio is surrounded by anxious Obligado Settlement children waiting to take part in Holy Mass

Christmas Eve Mass

Father Grassi kept company to the children of Obligado Settlement on the day before Christmas

The children who participated in the Living Nativity at Obligado Settlement with Father Julio Grassi

Buenos Aires, December 24, 2003 - Father Julio César Grassi, founder of Felices los Niños, celebrated Christmas Eve Mass on the premises of Padre Pio Residential School in the Obligado Settlement in San Miguel District.

The Padre Pio Residential School is being built thanks to donations which procede mostly from Italy. It will assist the needy population of this area of the Metropolitan Area which lacks schools and basic social security services by which the standard of living of this population could be improved both from the material and the spiritual side.

The children of the area recreated a Living Nativity thanks to the catechistical work undertaken in the area by community leaders belonging to the Foundation. The altar needed to celebrate mass, where Father Grassi thanked God for the first 10 years of life of the Foundation which is inspired by the Salesian work of St. John Bosco, was erected on the construction site.

Father Julio in front of the altar where he celebrated Mass on the Felices los Niños Foundation's 10th anniversary

The Foundations 10^th Anniversary

The first 10 years of the Felices los Niños Foundation were celebrated with a Mass

Buenos Aires, December 23, 2003 - The 10^th Anniversary of the creation of the Felices los Niños Foundation were celebrated at each of its Homes. While having the first vision of his project 10 years ago Father Julio César Grassi did not even dream his Work would assist and sponsor thousands of children.

In the masses celebrated by Fr. Julio children take part actively and have the word

As Father Grassi recalled "let us thank God for the time which went by full to the brim of good works, of love towards so many children who now are good men and women, many of whom started their own family, some are college graduates, children who are studying and some others who are struggling, because in the Foundation they have learned that wherever they end up they must struggle."

The extreme socioeconomic situation of the Argentine population made the Foundation grow following the pressing needs of an ever-growing population of street children. Today there are 6600 children, teenagers, women and adolescent mothers either pregnant or with babies, who find shelter in its rooms. This is not limited to a strict social assistance scope. At Felices los Niños Foundation the assisted and sponsored persons get food, shelter, and formal and spiritual education. Father Grassi found inspiration for the Work in the Salesian teachings of Don Bosco's Preventive System.

The instant of communion chaired by Father Julio and Father Oscar

Father Julio Grassi celebrated Holy Mass at the altar erected at San José Obrero Residential School in the Buenos Aires borough of Chacarita. He was accompanied in this celebration by Father Oscar Pezzarini. Hundreds of contributors and friends showed up at the main celebration which ended with a theater performance about the life of Jesus which starred the Foundation's drama group.

"Our heart is full of gratitude for all the achieved success. This success is each and every one of the Foundation's children, seeing them makes us feel full of satisfaction since truth is in the happiness of each child. Happiness does not just consist in smiles, happiness lies in being" were the words Father Julio spoke to the crowded audience which after mass was delighted by Christmas carols performed by the Children's Choir.

Father Gabriel celebrated mass giving thanks for the end of the school year

We bring up good men and women

End of School Year at High School

Buenos Aires, December, 2003 - A new school year ended and we are happy to see the graduation of our High School students. Madre Teresa de Calcuta High School opened its doors in March 1998 to assist teenagers living in Felices los Niños Foundation as well as extern children who choose one of two possible orientations: Goods and Services or Art, Design and Communications.

Madre Teresa de Calcuta High School graduates at the graduation ceremony

Felices los Niños Foundation works since 10 years to help abandoned minors, giving comprehensive assistance and sponsoring 6600 children, youths, and pregnant teenagers or teenage mothers. Through its 54 works along 6 Argentine provinces the Foundation fights this alarming reality which has increased over the last years. That's the reason why there are 9 schools of all teaching levels among our works. Only by education can we achieve honest citizens and good Christians, as our inspirer St. John Bosco bequeathed us. Our entire educating method is based on Don Bosco's Preventive System.

A Feast of Catholic Faith

The birth of Christ enacted by the children of Juan María Boccardo Home

The Boccardo Home celebrated Christmas with a Living Nativity

Buenos Aires, December 20, 2003 - The Juan María Boccardo Home at the locality of Máximo Paz, welcomed the arrival of Christmas with a Living Nativity performed by the children assisted by the Sisters of the Order of the Poor Daughters of Saint Gaetan who are in charge of this institution.

The entire community of Máximo Paz took part of this milestone of Christendom by joyfully celebrating the arrival of a new Christmas which brings us hope and renews our Faith.

The Wise Men come to worship Baby Jesus

The children of the day-care center aged between 5 and 14 years took part of the ceremony experiencing the event of Christmas. This has been an enrichening catechistical experience for the 170 children who day by day attend the Boccardo Home where they are assisted with food, remedial teaching, and where they partake in creative workshops on handicrafts and arts.

The children and the Home staff who took part of the performance

New members of the Church are reborn to divine life

Eleven children were baptized at Felices los Niños Foundation

Buenos Aires, Monday, December 15, 2003 - Last Saturday, December 13th, Father Julio César Grassi, founder of Felices los Niños was happy to baptize eleven children who attend Santa Teresa de los Andes School making them members of the Church at the premises of this school.

Baptism is the first and principal sacrament of the Holy Church. The parents, godmothers and godfathers of the eleven children aged between 5 and 13 years who received the sacrament showed her joy for being able to partake at such an important ceremony. In a previous talk with catechists those present were instructed about the meaning of Christian Baptism which redeems Man from the original fault and forgives his sins, rescues him from the slavery of evil and marks his rebirth in the Holy Spirit, lends him a new life which means partaking in the life of God Father and which offers us His only Son who became man, died and rose from the dead.

The baptized children study at the Santa Teresa de los Andes School and at the Madre Maravillas de Jesús Kindergarten; both educational centers are located at the premises of the San José Obrero Dwelling Home and are part of the nine schools of Felices los Niños Foundation. Located in the borough of Chacarita in the city of Buenos Aires, their classrooms host needy children from the neighborhood, particularly from the settlements next to the railway station of the former Urquiza railroad. Interns of the Dwelling Home also attend these schools.

Thanks to the sacrament of Holy Baptism these children are reborn to divine life as Children of God.

After the moving ceremony we commended to the Holy Virgin that these children will be authentic Christians, bold witnesses of the Good News and prime movers of new life in Christ through all their life.

Day of Gratitude

The instant of Eucharist celebrated by Father Padre Julio César Grassi

We open our doors in order to thank our benefactors

Buenos Aires, October 11, 2003 - Nothing is more beatiful than gratitude when it is felt at heart, this is the feeling which every year moves us to convene our friends and benefactors for a celebration in which they are the guests of honor.

The Day of Gratitude is a traditional celebration at the Felices los Niños Foundation, a chance for us to open our doors so they can get to know us, visit us, so they can share an instant with our kids and see the work they have done all year long.

On this Day of Gratitude 2003 we have set up an exhibition of the work done at the creative and art workshops at different Foundation Homes. The booths have been decked to show the effort and the determination our staff puts into the care and the assistance of minors, with an outcome of nice works performed with surplus elements which result in beautiful decorations for every room.

A large attendance at Holy Mass and at the celebrations of the Day of Gratitude

In addition the Felices los Niños Foundation Choir showed off its extensive repertoire performing melodies which have been recorded on CDs next to such important performers as Patricia Sosa and the leader of the Memphis La Blusera band. Many of our visitors had a chance of watching the performance of the drama group which at this time offered a special staging. On the other hand the ballet group made up by the girls and teenagers of the Madre Piedad de la Cruz Home delighted the audience with choreographies inspired in current hits and also in Arabian dances.

Father Grassi, the founder of Felices los Niños celebrated mass with a loyal audience who supported the heat of the day and thanked God for the growth and the life of this Work of Love.

Half of the Argentine People Live in Poverty

In Times of Crisis we Look to the Future Because Poverty Doesn’t Wait up

Buenos Aires, Tuesday, September 23, 2003 -  The cold official figures revealed by the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INDEC) are startling. But they will not paralyze us, on the contrary. Third sector organizations, as Felices los Niños Foundation, cannot sit and watch the reality of the figures go by. A reality that shows that 54.7 % of the Argentine people live in a state of poverty.

Felices los Niños is an institution that provides all-embracing assistance to over 6400 children, the poorest among the poor who are at-risk. They are not only infants and children, but also youth and pregnant teenage mothers or teenage mothers with infants and women at-risk. In times of crisis we look to the future because poverty doesn’t wait up for anybody.

Father Grassi, founder of Felices los Niños, does not let up in his fight against poverty and social exclusion affecting half the population in our country. This is why construction and expansion works are underway in those places where we find the most needy. The priest underscores that "pain can become a great opportunity, that of seeing people with hope and situations with optimism". In tune with this premise, the Foundation does not limit its efforts to welfare assistance in order to cooperate with sustenance vis-à-vis the social emergency. Rather it puts forward as an end the social promotion of people fully assisted by the Father’s institutions, homes and day care centers, schools for all learning stages from kindergarten to higher education, dining halls, and job training workshops.

The overly high poverty level forces us to review the notion of social emergency and begin to replace it by that of social permanence in poverty. Paternalistic and welfare actions do not grant benefits nor do they have a favorable social impact in the face of a situation which tends to be structural in nature. Only the work geared toward promoting humankind dignity can be effective, and that is precisely what we at Felices los Niños have been doing since 1993.

Media Accusations Impact Children

Felices los Niños Foundation Works for At-risk Minors

Buenos Aires, Thursday, August 7, 2003 - Felices los Niños Foundation, devoted to the full care of 6400 children and youth -street children, homeless and abandoned- as well as teenage mothers with infants, “the poorest among the poor”, wishes to inform that it is working at full stretch in the organization of Children’s Day celebration which will take place in each of the homes next Sunday, August 10.

Moreover, the Foundation wishes to publicly voice its concern for the deceitful media accusations recently broadcast -unfounded and lacking appropriate evidence- regarding alleged criminal acts against people related to the unfair case involving Father Julio César Grassi and that, since October of last year, has kept him away from the children at the Foundation. Despite this, Father Julio continues to work as he did on the very first day, shoulder to shoulder with authorities and Foundation officials. He is unyielding to the burden he has to bear, living his daily priestly life through reflective prayer and, unfortunately, having to spend part of his time defending himself from an unjust cause. Far from keeping him away from the Foundation, this reinforces his reasons to go on fighting.

The ill-intentioned media statements appearing as of late not only damage the institution ? since 1993 it has been taking care of priority life-related issues in our punished society such as dealing with at-risk minors and situations of extreme poverty and abandonment ? it also irreversibly hurts the children at our Foundation. That is, these children who experience daily life at the homes, schools and workshops, and receive education, health care, housing and spiritual care, as required by their condition of dignified people. They recognize Father Julio as their “real father”, as the Spiritual Father, and from their innocent viewpoint they fail to understand and repudiate false and covert accusations of “Mafia-related” acts which have nothing to do with the Foundation’s way of conducting itself.

These 6400 children are the ones who suffer. They suffer by directly or indirectly appearing in mass media, and by being used for rating and advertising purposes by adults who do not care to measure the emotional and psychological consequences such atrocious attitude brings out in them. These children suffer and miss Father Julio. They suffer media mocking driven by commercial interests that do not understand the meaning of dignity, feelings, and the highly acclaimed yet scarcely known and respected rights of children.

This despicable behavior has a direct impact on the children and we are not willing to put up with it. That is why we are working even harder, with greater strength, more alive than ever, always looking to the future, building a noble future for our children because we believe and know they deserve all our love and best efforts.

Romans in Solidarity with Our Children

Actors Sergio Ammirata and Patrizia Parisi will be offering a charity presentation for the benefit of Felices los Niños Foundation, Father Julio César Grassi’s Charitable Work, at the Amphitheater Della Quercia del Tasso in Rome, Italy:

"La maschera e il volto", brilliant comedy by Luigi Chiarelli

Thursday, July 17, 2003, at 9:00 p.m.

We thank our European friends for their generosity!

Entrance to Virgen Niña Home

Blessing of Virgen Niña Home in Chacarita

Little girls’ desks

Last Father’s Day the blessing of the Virgen Niña Home construction work in the borough of Chacarita, City of Buenos Aires, took place. The facilities have been refurbished to shelter little girls and infants in an atmosphere suited to their needs. The furniture, room distribution and decoration at large converge in uniquely warm and cozy living quarters.

Getting Down to Work

The Manos a la Obra Cooperative, comprising former institution boarders, is progressing with its organic patch project to provide job opportunities for youth at Felices los Niños Foundation. The Cooperative plants seasonal vegetables, home made jams and jellies are prepared, wooden crafts made and fertile soil, compost and worm compost are produced.

La Tradición Street (right next to INTA Castelar and facing Edenor’s power transformation plant)

Visit us from Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

+54 (11) 4452-1848/4665-2461/15-5261-9086

For further information write to pro_manosalaobra@hotmail.com

Sports for Everyone

Angel de la Guarda Special school has participated in the Sports Tournaments organized by the District of Morón Official and Private School Committee. The activity was sponsored by the Municipality of Morón and the Department of Social Action for the Disabled. Our children attended the Gorki Grana Sports complex in Castelar where they participated and were awarded prizes for their good performance. They came back with their trophies, first prize in Newcon (volleyball variant) and second prize in Soccer.

Soccer Players’ Visits

We want to greatly thank players Cristian Zurita and Leonardo Di Lorenzo of the First Division San Lorenzo de Almagro Athletic Club, for spending an afternoon and sharing snacks with the children from the San José Obrero Home in Chacarita. They gave us their Club’s T-shirt signed by the whole team as a memento.

Padre Pío School, number ten for the Foundation, under construction

We are Building our Tenth School

At Obligado Settlement, in the District of San Miguel, we are building Padre Pío School.

Construction work is firmly progressing and can now be seen from the Buen Ayre Highway, 600 m before Gorriti Exit, coming from the north. The construction has been possible thanks to donations from many individuals and companies. Thank you all very much!!

Danone Group Support to Felices los Niños Foundation

Saturday, December 7, 2002.- The staff of Villa del Sur Móvil company (Villa Alpina S.A.) participated in a community work day at the Felices los Niños Foundation Headquarters, thus contributing to the creation of a new vegetable patch and cooperating with the activities of children who live at the Homes on a permanent basis.

Activities started at 9:00 a.m. and ended at 5:00 p.m., after the closing ceremony.

Community work was divided into teams made up of managers and company employees who performed different activities as helping in the maintenance and cleanliness of the homes, doing Christmas decoration, playing and sharing some time with the children and company employees.

Employees gathered and distributed clothing, school supplies and food to the children.

At 12.30 p.m., the community lunch brought the Foundation children and Villa del Sur staff together. After lunch, sports activities and games took place outdoors where good integration with the children was achieved.

To wrap up, the closing ceremony took place with the participation of Felices los Niños Foundation Youth Choir, directed by Daniel Garay, who sung Christmas songs. Later, the girls from Casa Madre Piedad de la Cruz performed two choreographies taken from their usual dance workshops conducted once a week and resulting in a very supportive environment for these formerly abandoned young girls.

Towards the closing, an announcement of Villa del Sur’s donation was made for the construction of a dining hall and school at the Obligado settlement.

Felices los Niños Foundation heartily thanks the solidarity gesture of the Danone Group toward Villa del Sur staff. According to the participants, the results achieved during this community work day left doors open for future solidarity meetings.

Christmas Message from Father Julio Grassi

"Love is the Capability God Revealed to us Through the Presence of Jesus"

A few hours before the anniversary of Felices los Niños and Christmas Eve celebration, Father Grassi stated that "humanity is the capacity of public good". Moreover, he said that the worst sin is believing you are God. He asked for us to sow the seeds of Christianity with love wherever we might be. "The secret to Christmas is God who becomes a man but asks us humans to be more humane", he asserted.

Buenos Aires, Sunday, December 22, 2002.- A few hours into the ninth anniversary of Felices los Niños Foundation and the celebration of Christmas Eve, Father Julio Grassi, Spiritual Father of the Charitable Institution he founded on December 23, 1993, stated last night during his Christmas greeting delivered at "La Manga" -his weekly radio program (Rivadavia Radio Station - AM 630 – Sundays from 2:00 to 5:00 a.m., Saturday late show)- that "Christmas is the chance of understanding that if God becomes a man, we have to be more humane, more tender, and much better human beings.”

"For a long time I thought Christmas was a holiday where we recalled a God who didn’t know what else to do to talk to us and make Himself understood, and said He would become a man and would come to transit the same land people transit.”

'I want to be close to them, be one of them without changing my identity as God', he stated.”

"And he did come, finally, on a Christmas day, as Jesus child to be the Savior, the Messiah, one more among us but with a new mission.”

"The secret to Christmas is God who becomes a man but asks us humans to be more humane. Humanity is the capacity of public good. Love is the capacity God revealed to us through the presence of Jesus.”

"Love your neighbors as you would yourself” is God’s greatest heritage to us.

We men make a mistake in wanting to become God. First it was the angels’ sin for wanting to be God, and then, the sin of human beings in Paradise, Adam and Eve’s, for wanting to be gods.”

"The worst sin in our lives is believing we are God. Because Jesus’ mandate is “love your neighbor as you would yourself.” This is the great power Jesus wants us to have. It’s the great spiritual power which couldn’t be bent for the world, not even by the barrier of death”, said the Spiritual Father of Felices los Niños Foundation, institution that provides full care to 6300 abandoned children and youth through 52 charitable works comprising 20 Homes, 15 Day Care Centers, 9 Schools, 6 Dining Halls, 2 Rescue Groups as well as 33 Job Training Workshops.

Later on, Father Grassi expressed that "during the Christmas season we must think that life’s glory in this world goes by very quickly, that the glory we may build for ourselves is very frail and small, and history itself proves it brittle.”

"What lives on forever is love. The love with which we can now sow the seeds of Christianity wherever we may be. For instance, visiting old age homes, homes for children, or feeding with our love and not just filling someone’s stomach. We can do all of this without feeling more important because of it.”

"To feel well during this Christmas holiday, we don’t have to feel we are the best or the worst. Just simply say to the Lord that we’ve done the best we could.”

"Christmas is the chance of understanding that if God becomes a man, we have to be more humane, more tender and much better human beings.”

"I wish blessings drive us to live a different kind of Christmas, where our neighbors are present, not for the purpose of our glory but for the glory of God”, he asserted in closing and blessed the audience.

Father Julio Grassi Spoke on his Radio Program

"God Loves us Through the Virgin Mary"

The Spiritual Father of Felices los Niños Foundation was back on the air just “exceptionally” to pay homage to the Virgin on the Day of the Immaculate Conception. "She’s got that motherly countenance to do the things God wants to do through her”, he asserted.

Buenos Aires, Sunday, December 8, 2002.- At the first appearance on his radio program since the end of October, Father Julio Grassi, Spiritual Father of Felices los Niños Foundation and conductor of the program "La Manga" (on AM 630 - Rivadavia Radio Station– Sundays from 2:00 to 5:00 a.m., Saturday late show), paid homage to the Virgin Mary on the Day of the Immaculate Conception.

"When you say “thank you”, you look at Her. When, at very difficult times in my life I went back into the Foundation, I tried to swim through the ocean of people just to embrace Her. A gesture I’ll have to do with Her whenever God calls me to Eternity."

"To any person who is suffering or undergoing difficulties, I tell him/her to dare embrace the Virgin, to pull her cloak and say: “Mother, I need you, please help me’.”

"Today I also want to approach her and say: ‘Mother, help me, lend me a hand”. All of us who have our hearts set in God know that He loves us through the Virgin Mary. She’s got that motherly countenance to do the things God wants to do through her.”

"On the Day of the Holy Virgin Mary I’d like to tell Her that many children are in need of Her affection as well as our affection.”

"Felices los Niños would like to express its recognition on your day but would also like to request from you once again”, Father Grassi looked to the Virgin. “Come back to us, let those merciful eyes come to the children who suffer and await the most. They are waiting for me”, he said emotionally. "Come back to those who must place their hearts where truth and mercy lie. For them, Mother, so that we can find the way out of this Purgatory and valley of tears, to find the peace we so much desire.”

Regarding Father Grassi’s comeback to his radio program at Rivadavia Radio Station, he stated: "I’m back at the program just exceptionally. I wanted to say a few words on the Day of the Virgin’s Immaculate Conception because I thought I had something to witness and say about Her."

He blessed the children of Felices los Niños Foundation who will be receiving their First Communion today. "Unfortunately, as you well know, I can’t give you Communion. But I’ll be very close to the children during their first meeting with Jesus. It will be a happy encounter for the children and also for Jesus.”

"I feel joyful for being able to communicate with Rivadavia Radio Station’s audience, whom I love so much and who have strongly supported me. At some point in time I’ll be able to establish that flowing communication we used to have. As the Bible says, there’s a time to talk and a time to remain silent. This is the time I chose to remain silent. Today’s message is exceptional because it is the Virgin’s Day”.

"Thank you all for your support and for choosing the truth over falsehoods. Let us pray for Mary to shelter the poorest and most abandoned children beneath her cloak. I know soon things will be all right. This is all for now”, said father Grassi in closing.

Father Grassi’s words were heard around 4:30 a.m., right at the beginning of the program which delayed its starting time due to the hockey finals being broadcast from Australia.