Italy – Boretto promotes the testimony of St. Artemide Zatti

13 December 2022

(ANS - Boretto) - The first presentation of the book "Artemide Zatti salesiano coadiutore - In bicicletta verso il cielo" (Elledici editions) written by Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni, Postulator General for the Causes of Saints of the Salesian Family, took place in Boretto, the town where St. Artemide Zatti was born on October 12, 1880.

The meeting was held on Friday, December 9, at the "Bottega del tempo libero" in front of about 100 people, with several speakers bringing their contributions and recounting their experiences related to Zatti. A community, that of Boretto, which is very attached to the figure of the saint, and which participated joyfully and in large numbers in the canonization that took place in Rome last October 9. It is precisely to Zatti, by the way, that the pastoral unit that includes Brescello and Lentigione in addition to Boretto is named.

During the evening - moderated by the journalist of the Gazzetta di Reggio, Andrea Vaccari - Fr. Cameroni retraced the salient stages of the saint's life, emphasizing, in particular, the spirit of service of the "relative of the poor": "Don Bosco," he explained, "had said to his Salesians who left for America to take care of the sick, children, the elderly and the poor. Zatti as a Good Samaritan took them in the inn of his heart and in the 'San José' hospital in Viedma: in each of them, he visited, cared for, hosted, and honored Christ. His canonization tells us the beauty of the consecrated life and the value of a life wholly dedicated to God in service to the poor with the apostolic heart of Don Bosco. It is a strong impulse to promote the vocation of the Salesian coadjutor, who brings to all educational and pastoral fields the proper value of his laity, which makes him in a specific way a witness to the Kingdom of God in the world."

In addition to Fr. Cameroni, the mayor of Boretto, Matteo Benassi, and the parish priest of Boretto and Brescello, Fr. Giancarlo Minotta, spoke, announcing that next year the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, will be conferred honorary citizenship of Boretto. Other speakers included: Boretto residents Anna Montagna, on the experience of illness, Paola Muratori, on family life, and young Mattia Guidotti from Brescia, on community life.

Touching was the testimony of little Benedetta, a sign of how even the little ones feel involved in Artemide Zatti's adventure. "I came to tell my experience of my pilgrimage to Rome: I really enjoyed being with my family, uncles, aunts, and cousins. But the most beautiful thing was attending the canonization of Saint Artemide Zatti: I thought it was a dream to see the Pope in person! I made many new friends and strengthened the friendships I already had. The dinner together was very exciting; I thought I was a disciple of Jesus. I also enjoyed the 'Color Zatti' experience where I was an extra; I felt like a close relative of Artemide because we looked like migrants from Boretto who wanted to go to Argentina."

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ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

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