San Salvatore Monferrato (Italy). A special Sunday was that of 30 June 2024, lived in the town of San Salvatore Monferrato (Alessandria) with Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco. To welcome him with joy were various members of the Salesian Family, including numerous Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Mary Help of Christians Province (IPI) from various communities in Monferrato – Mornese, Nizza Monferrato, Alessandria – and many people. The animators of the Summer Camp could not be missing and they were the first to greet the illustrious guest.
The encounter took place at the Sanctuary of Madonna del Pozzo, a place of grace and blessing for several centuries. The Mayor conferred on the Rector Major the “Special Civic Merit” with the “Plaque of the Tower”, a sign of gratitude for his world-wide mission, and a tribute of esteem by the Municipality, in which the Salesian presence left an imprint of light.
In 1861, Don Bosco had chosen San Salvatore as one of the destinations for the autumn walk of his boys of the Oratory. From 1898 to 2019, the FMA Community was present with various educational works, changed over the years to respond to the educative needs of the territory. Natives of San Salvatore from the beginning of the House until today, are 43 FMA and 15 SDB!
After the conferral of merit, the brief presentation was held of the figure of the Holy Salesian Coadjutor and of Fr. Carlo Evasio Cavalli (1849-1917), a Salesian priest originally from this town – a student of Don Bosco from 1859, a missionary in Argentina – who was the spiritual guide of St. Artemis Zatti (1880-1951).
It was then entitled the path of the “Way of the Cross” to St. Artemide Zatti. In accepting his illness, he walked with Jesus the path of the cross and with Him became the Good Samaritan of hope for so many in need, in body and spirit. For the occasion, present was the Mayor of Boretto (Reggio Emilia), birthplace of St. Artemide, accompanied by the Deputy Mayor and some people.
In the Eucharist, presided over by the Cardinal and concelebrated solemnly in front of the Marian Shrine, with the presence of the Bishop of the Diocese of Casale Monferrato, Msgr. Gianni Sacchi; of the Bishop Emeritus Msgr. Luciano Pacomio; of the Rector of the Sanctuary, Fr. Carlo Grattarola; of the Superior of the Special Circumscription Mary Help of Christians (ICP), Fr. Leonardo Mancini; and numerous priests, celebrated with gratitude a fruitful intertwining of life. Father Carlo Evasio Cavalli accompanied the young Artemide Zatti on his vocational journey, who emigrated from Italy in 1897 with his family. He directed him to be available to the call of God who wanted him to be a Salesian at the service of the poor and the sick, to the summit of Holiness. He was canonized in Rome by Pope Francis on 9 October 2022.
In the Eucharistic Celebration, animated by the parish choir, we prayed for many educators so that even today, in a totally changed and constantly changing context, SDB, FMA, and members of the Salesian Family may know how to be true accompaniers of young people on the path to Holiness.
Also significant was the tribute of the President of the FMA Past Pupils Union of San Salvatore, who personally greeted the Rector Major, offering him a hand-embroidered tablecloth in memory of this day and as a wish for his future mission for the good of the Church.
