Vatican City, 10 October 2022 -- On a beautiful sunny Sunday morning, in Saint Peter's Square (Vatican City) some 30,000 faithful gathered from all continents to attend the canonization of Bishop John Scalabrini and Salesian Brother Artemides Zatti. Thanks to the hard work of the Catholic media we were able to follow the solemn Eucharist on the internet in different languages.
In the age of social media, many of the EAO participants were sharing their emotions and solemn moment from St. Peter's Square in the Vaticanin real time. The creativity of the Salesian Brothers made Brother Zatti visible in many ways. We were able to see the four Salesian Cooperator women from Vietnam, with their traditional and large image of Br. Zatti that attracted many photographers. Also the large banner of the Vietnam province Brothers delegation was visible from a large distance. Myanmar's joint SDB-FMA delegation with its simple 'ZATTI' - five large sheets of paper. Also the presence of EAO provincials (AUL, FIN, GIA, KOR, THA) and some Salesian Family members (Caritas Sisters of Jesus from their Rome based general house, SIHM from Thailand, FMA students or professors in Rome and Salesian Cooperators) made the EAO presence felt in the crowds.
We were able to follow the liturgy from afar, felt close to the successor of Peter and were encouraged by the concelebration of the Rector Major at the altar (with Card. Semeraro, head of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints) and by the presence of Br. Robert Narvaez and his elder brother Renato, who brought the relic of Saint Artemides Zatti to the altar. Also Pope Francis' heartfelt mention of the value of the Salesian Brother vocation alue remains in the hearts of the whole Salesian Family.
The canonization formula states: 'For the honour of the Blessed Trinity, the exaltation of the Catholic faith and the increase of Christian life, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and our own, after due deliberation and frequent prayer for divine assistance and having sought the counsel of many of our brother Bishops, we declare and define Blessed Giovanni Battista Scalabrini and Artemides Zatti to be Saints and we enrol them among the Saints, decreeing that they are to be venerated as such by the whole Church. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.'
The Canonization event is over, the thousands of Salesian Family members who travelled to Rome will slowly return to their own countries, while for most of the Salesian Brothers the Don Bosco Pilgrimage in Italy now continues. Now is the time to 'digest' and give thanks for this great gift to the whole Church and especially to our Salesian Congregation and Salesian Family at large. On Boscolink you can find the main materials created before and on the two eventful days (October 8-9).
Saint Artemides Zatti, Pray for Us!
