The 318 items prepared by participants are on display in the Luigi Caironi room that the Legnanese Family has made available to the Association led by Carlo Riganti, and engaged for years in the dissemination of knowledge of the life and works of the Salesian missionary, who was born in Legnano (29 May 1891) and died in Cuenca (30 April 1982), in Ecuador, where he spent most of his life.
Culture, genius and spirituality made Fr Crespi the special missionary he was and, precisely for this reason the people of Cuenca venerated him as a saint when he was still alive. Therefore the multifaceted figure of Fr Crespi has also become known to the city of Legnano, thanks to the association which has been very committed at various levels, always with a view to his beatification.
Entomologist, scientist, archaeologist, musician, writer, director, friend of children, the poor and as well as a formidable confessor for the students of the "Don Carlos" city schools he has become a sort of "superhero" with a big heart. Even in the cartoon created by cartoonist Mario Lisi which the association distributed to the schools that requested it, the Salesian missionary is a figure that can only be admired and loved.
"The most Legnano of saints and the holiest of the Legnano": this is how he is described in one of the videos that were screened during the opening of the exhibition. "A miracle has already been accomplished," commented the mayor, Lorenzo Radice, suggesting that before the great miracle for which the association is working, namely to see Fr Crespi rise to the honours of the altars, the numerous and enthusiastic participation of schools in this competition is to be considered something remarkable.
More than 300 contributions were received, but the number of young people who participated is much higher, considering that many of the papers on display are the result of group work.
A special jury has decreed the "list of winners". The award ceremony took place on Saturday, 4 May, at the auditorium of the "Barbara Melzi" schools.
In the end, the following works were awarded:
– The video "Father Carlo Crespi an amazing life of a wonderful man" (Istituto Tirinnanzi Primary School and S. Massimiliano Kolbe Secondary School);
– The "Drawings and poems in an illustrated journey" Collection ("Bonvesin de la Riva" Institute)
– A collage on a 120cm×120cm panel entitled "Un uomo tuttomondo" (Alessandro Manzoni Institute)
– Acrylic on wood and copper leaf "Padre Carlo Crespi e noi" (Istituto Tirinnanzi Secondary School)
– The "Dialogue on Carlo Crespi" video (Antonio Bernocchi State Institute of Higher Education )
Cristina Masetti
https://www.infoans.org/en/sections/news/item/21042-italy-the-students-at-legnano-schools-pay-tribute-to-the-venerable-fr-carlo-crespi-sdb#sigProIdc8fe83d998
