The programme began at 2:30 pm local time, with a friendly and fatherly meeting between the cardinal and some boys and girls from the local community.
Subsequently, the institutional acts took place, with the official reception of the Delegation of the Municipality of Boretto, the birthplace of Artemide Zatti, led by the new mayor, Andrea Codelupi; and the conferral of the "Special Civic Merit" conferred by the City Council of San Salvatore Monferrato on Cardinal Á.F. Artime, and delivered to him by the hands of the Mayor, Corrado Tagliabue.
The central event of the day, namely the dedication of the Via Crucis path to Saint Artemides Zatti, was organised by the local parish community, led by Fr Gabriele Paganini, and took place among a crowd of faithful and in the presence of different religious authorities: in this regard, in particular, the presence of the Bishop of the Diocese of Casale Monferrato, Bishop Gianni Sacchi; and the Rector of the Shrine, Fr Carlo Grattarola; in addition to several Salesians, numerous Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and other members of the Salesian Family.
Later, surrounded by the youngsters and boys leaders from the oratory, the cardinal also cut the ribbon of the new inclusive swing for the playground at the sanctuary; and all those present then witnessed a commemorative moment in which the two Salesian figures were remembered: Artemides Zatti, Salesian brother turned saint in the service of the sick and the poor who crowded the hospital in Viedma, Argentina; and Fr Carlo Evasio Cavalli, the Salesian priest originally from San Salvatore Monferrato, who, as a missionary in Argentina and parish priest in Bahía Blanca, inspired his path to holiness.
Later in the afternoon, again at the sanctuary of the Madonna del Pozzo, the Rector Major also presided over the Sunday Eucharistic celebration, accompanied by Bishop Sacchi and other concelebrants.
"The population of San Salvatore, pleased to have Fr Carlo Evasio Cavalli as a fellow citizen, wanted to honour the happy coincidence of these two sons of Don Bosco and entrust themselves to their intercession", commented Msgr Grattarola, Rector of the sanctuary. "For this reason," he said "the Via Crucis that some years ago, inspired by archpriest Hannibal Spalla, was erected in the park belonging to the shrine, was dedicated to Saint Artemides so that with his intercession as ‘kinsman of the poor’ and ‘good Samaritan’ he may lead us to recognise and serve Christ Jesus, who lives and reigns forever and ever, in every suffering brother and sister."
