Several appointments were scheduled to honor the memory of Fr. Francesco Convertini, animated by the presence of Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni, Postulator General for the Causes of the Saints of the Salesian Family: there was a meeting with the students of the First Grade Secondary School on Friday, 10 February, in Cisternino and in Locorotondo. The young people, associations, and school groups from Locorotondo and Cisternino produced several papers in tune with the theme of the peace march.

Also on Friday, Feb. 10, a conference-debate was held entitled "Tales of War, Pathways to Peace," organized in collaboration with students from the Liceo Polivalente "don Quirico Punzi" secondary school in Cisternino. It was a panel discussion on war and its consequences, human rights, and possible paths for the daily construction of a possible peace. Speakers included: Angelo Calianno, photo reporter for 'Senza Codice', who has always been on the front lines on the hot fronts of a tormented world; Dino Alberto Mangialardi, who for "Amnesty International" deals with human rights and their violations in times and contexts of war; Maria Ancona, president of "Associazione SUD," committed to international cooperation through the implementation of youth policies and cultural exchanges at the European level; and finally Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni, who recalled the testimony of Fr. Francesco Convertini as a sower of peace and reconciliation in a multi-religious context such as the one in which he lived his mission in Bengal.

On Saturday, 11 February, the Dies Natalis of Venerable Francesco Convertini, there was a Marian vigil "Take Care of Him" in the liturgical memory of Our Lord of Lourdes, animated by the Unitalsi of Locorotondo and Cisternino, in the Mother Church of Locorotondo.

Fr. Cameroni recalled that this year marks the centenary of Francesco Convertini's decision to be a Salesian missionary. In 1923 on the day the departing missionaries received the crucifix in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin, the young Convertini was very touched by the event and when asked by his spiritual guide Fr. Angelo Amadei, Don Bosco's biographer, if he would like to be a missionary himself, he generously answered his yes, entering the missionary aspirantate in Ivrea a few months later.

The march is intended to remember this missionary Salesian figure, a simple and humble witness to the Gospel. In a difficult historical moment, in which violence, persecution, offenses, and "attacks" on the dignity of men and women are persistent and visible, it served to renew commitment on the path of Peace and harmonious sharing among peoples.

• Title Title
• Title Title
• Title Title
•  

Tweet