Vatican
Our 2016 Vatican Mission
In November 2016, our team was honored to receive an invitation to the Vatican. Several members of our organization attended, along with a charitable partner whose full participation we proudly sponsored. We covered all travel and accommodations for every participant, ensuring that each person could focus entirely on the purpose of the mission.
While in Vatican City, we were introduced to a group of Congolese women who had survived the devastating trauma of war and severe sexual violence. In a deeply humbling request, Vatican officials asked us to provide our BSW trauma-elimination techniques to support their healing. Over the course of two days, we worked closely with these courageous women and trained additional individuals in our methods so that support could continue long after we had left.
During our visit, we were granted rare access to several private and restricted areas of Vatican City—an extraordinary gesture reflecting the trust and respect extended to our team. We were also honored to participate in the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, a historic holy event. In a particularly moving moment, two members of our delegation were selected to carry the Holy Cross during the procession to St. Peter’s Basilica.
Our mission extended beyond Vatican City. We were invited to Amatrice, Italy, a community devastated by the August 2016 earthquake. The mayor personally requested our assistance due to the overwhelming trauma experienced by rescue workers, particularly following the loss of so many children. At the time, more than 300 soldiers were working tirelessly to recover bodies from the rubble, and the emotional toll was profound. We were asked to provide BSW techniques to help stabilize, support, and strengthen those serving on the front lines of this tragedy.
While in Italy, we also traveled by bus through the Alps to four separate villages, where we demonstrated our BSW 5+1 Program. These sessions provided communities with practical tools for trauma processing, emotional regulation, and resilience-building during an extraordinarily difficult period.
Upon returning home, the mission continued. In partnership with one of our members who worked in an elementary school, we invited students to create heartfelt cards filled with love, hope, and encouragement for the children affected by the earthquake. The students’ genuine compassion and enthusiasm were a powerful reminder of how collective kindness can transcend borders and bring comfort across continents.
This journey profoundly impacted our organization. It deepened our commitment to global healing, demonstrated the far-reaching effectiveness of BSW techniques, and highlighted the extraordinary compassion that emerges when communities unite to support those in need.