This year, on 31 January, Father Lenti celebrated his 95th birthday and was accompanied by a large group of people from the Salesian Families of the city of Los Angeles, United States, who came to celebrate him and give thanks to God for the gift of his life and of the good he has done for the Salesian Congregation.
In the midst of the joy for these celebration festivities was a very special surprise: the presentation of the book: "Arthur Lenti. Memory, presence and hope."
Published in English, the book contains an interview with Fr Lenti himself where biographical and vocational aspects are touched upon, his formation as a Salesian historian, his perspective on Salesian studies, and a number of messages Fr Lenti offers to all those who share the Salesian mission. In the second part is a collection of testimonies of him as a confrere in the community and as a specialist of the Bible, together with the story of the process that led to the realization of the work: "Don Bosco: history and charism".
The "surprise factor" marked the event: although Fr Lenti was aware of this work, he did not expect it to arrive on time for his birthday.
"It is for this reason that today I am with you. Because I want to join my voice to that of all of us who have benefited from his work and his friendship, and we want to say a simple but profound word: 'Thank you, Father Arthur, for what you are and for what you did and do!' The second part of the book presents some testimonies, including those of Fr Juan José Bartolomé and of Fr Luis Timossi of the Salesian Center for Permanent Formation in Quito," said Salesian Fr Marcelo Escalante Mendoza, author of the book.
