Thanksgiving in the homeland of Saint Joseph Allamano

Castelnuovo Don Bosco the land of saints.

The town on the hill of the upper Asti area is dressed for the occasion today. Flags of all nations cross its perched streets. Scarves with the image of the new saint have been hung from the windows and balconies.

By Marco Bello *

The primary school children have posted their drawings on the street: they portray a completely original Joseph Allamano. They have also prepared a song for the occasion.

In Saint Andrew’s church, where the saint celebrated his first mass, in 1873 at the age of 22, preparations are in full swing. Outside there are two panels: the one to the left of the entrance portrays Saint Joseph Allamano, and the one to the right the four saints of the town: Saint Joseph Cafasso, Saint John Bosco, Saint Domenic Savio, and the one who is celebrated today.

The young mayor of Castelnuovo, Umberto Musso, will say, at the end of the mass, in Italian and English:«We have a world record, we are the only municipality to have given birth to four saints!

The pilgrims gather in the square and slowly climb the hill. A volunteer with a yellow vest explains, in French, some historical aspects of the small town to a group of Congolese. In the same way, others accompany the Mozambicans, the Ivorians, the Colombians to the church, speaking to them in different languages, French, English, Spanish.

At 10 am Saint Andrew’s church is already full, and half an hour later the celebration starts promptly. The music of the Colle Don Bosco choir welcomes the celebrants. Then, Father Gianni Treglia, superior of the European Region, takes the floor and introduces the celebration in several languages: «Four days ago Joseph Allamano was canonized. Now his life is recognized by the universal Church. […] Today we express our gratitude for this man, son of Castelnuovo. “I brought with me the peasant world and life of these hills, a community of relationships and hopes,” he said, “Among my missionary sons and daughters, I always felt like being part of a family.” Being a family, being together, bearing witness to unity and mutual love. He experienced and lived this since his childhood, in this land”.

The church of Saint Andrew is full and some benches have also been placed outside. In addition to pilgrims from various countries, RD Congo, Mozambique, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Colombia, Brazil, Kazakhstan, and others, there are also the inhabitants of Castelnuovo, who show their affection towards the new saint, who is one of their own.

“We are here to thank the Lord for this canonization. Here Joseph took his first steps. […] We thank the inhabitants of this special land, for their great welcome”, thus begins the homily of Father James Lengarin, superior general of the Consolata Missionaries, ninth successor of Allamano and the first of African origin. He then recalls the youth years of the founder of the two institutes, who grew up, even spiritually, in this town in Piedmont. And how he experienced a missionary environment at the “school of Don John Bosco”. But he also says that Allamano was able to go beyond, to “interpret these situations to go beyond Turin, Piedmont, to open up to the most distant people, in the outskirts of the world”, because he understood that “salvation is for everyone”. And he continues: «Today’s celebration is not only ours, but also that of many people in the world who have known the Consolata missionaries».

As he speaks to a diverse audience, Father James says: “We are all citizens of the world, and we know that unfortunately millions of people suffer, experience the devastation of war, disease, hunger, the humiliation of poverty. In addition to physical conditions, many live in spiritual poverty […]”. The fact of having so many people in Castelnuovo, of different origins, means that “the mission continues”.

Father James also remembers: «many of our brothers and sisters have also lost their lives, while they were missionaries in distant countries, where they been buried». 

A fruitful Church, that of Piedmont, «of missionaries, men and women, even lay men and women, who went to the mission everywhere. The world was full of Piedmontese missionaries. […]

As we give thanks for the holiness of these saints, we should open up to the future. Let us pray that Castelnuovo and Italy may return to being a source of good and holy missionaries who open their hearts to the entire world.”

He asks for the intercession of “Blessed Joseph Allamano”, but then he stops. “We’re not used to it yet: Saint Allamano!”, and a chuckle of satisfaction rises from the audience.

“We ask to have the strength and courage to live even when far away, even when our human energy is limited, and hope will be the only thing that will save us.”

After the mass and the ritual photos, the pilgrims group by language. Each group follows a volunteer holding a colored sign, and they all peacefully invade the town, first its inns and then some historical places. In particular, the birthplace of Saint Joseph Allamano and that of his uncle, Saint Joseph Cafasso, are visited.

After the morning clouds, the sun has appeared and it looks like a splendid spring day, well suited for this day of celebration. Around five o’clock everyone gathers in Piazza Don Bosco. It’s time to say goodbye. Sister Lucia Bortolomasi, Mother Superior of the Consolata Missionaries Sisters, thanks the authorities present, then recalls a phrase by Allamano, she just read at his birthplace: “In Casteluovo I met many people who took my life to heart.”

Sister Lucia continues: “We want to say thank you, because it was a special day, a beautiful day. You of Castelnuovo have lived the words of Allamano when he says that good must be done well. We have seen everything, every detail, done well with the special touch of love.”

Furthermore, she continues: «We have seen teamwork on your part. The founder always told us: “Never solitary missionaries in the mission, but living together, in communion, because unity is strength”. To fullfil the sanctity of small things, in ordinary life».

*Marco Bello, Missioni Consolata magazine.

The pilgrims of San Giuseppe Allamano were given a splendid welcome by the people of Castelnuovo. Here are the words of Mayor Umberto Musso and some pictures of the welcome. (Video made by Sister Stefania Raspo)

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