In the presence of the Salesian community of the "Don Bosco International Institute" and of a large group of fellow villagers of Ven. Quadrio from Lombardy were present for the occasion. There were a series of paper presentations aimed at underlining the elements of novelty and growing interest in the figure of this Salesian theologian, Professor of Theology and a luminous model of religious and priestly life.

Fr Silvano Oni, with the help of images and testimonies, traced an original biography of the venerable, capturing the specificity of his land of origin, the rise and consolidation of the vocation, but also the years terribly marked by suffering that led to his premature death at just 41 years old.

Fr. François-Marie Léthel, a renowned Carmelite and theologian, highlighted at least three elements regarding Fr Quadrio's spirituality: the combination of 'spousality and virginity' so characteristic of his mystical life; the specific dimension of his evangelizing through his ordinary encounters and of his life built on Christian hope.

Fr Pier Luigi Cameroni, Postulator General for the Causes of Saints of the Salesian Family, recalled that the saints radiate grace starting from the numerous relationships that intersect and renew; and then led the group to reflect on how specific to Fr Quadrio was, the transparency of Christ's sentiments, in particular in kindness and humanness.

Finally, Most Rev. Paolo Martinelli, the Auxiliary Bishop of Milan and a fine connoisseur of the theology of Consecrated Life, led the assembly to reflect on the theme of Fr Quadrio as a "Religious Priest". While the specificity of the priestly figure remains that of being an apostle of the Father in and for the Church in a specific historical context, the consecrated life offers to the priestly ministry, the richness of the charism proper to the religious family to which it belongs. Fr Quadro was an apostle who 'was the mission', according to those specific features of St John Bosco's spirituality. His mission was teaching and personal, spiritual accompaniment. His mission was to safeguard the communion of his confreres and to educate from a harmony of character to a truly transparent heart of Christ and his holy humanity. Most Rev. Martinelli concluded his report by recalling that the specific identity of the priest will be increasingly given by his 'care for humans', in a time marked by the alienation of faith from culture and life.

The morning ended with a pilgrimage to the tomb of the Venerable, located at the external church of the Salesian house, where a biographical and commemorative panel of the centenary celebrated was placed.

Having been broadcast live via streaming, the event remains available online and can be accessed here.

• Title Title
•  

Tweet