Italy – St. Artemide Zatti al Colle Don Bosco, 18 March 1934

29 November 2022

(ANS - Castelnuovo Don Bosco) - Thanks to research carried out by Br. Sante Simioni, Salesian coadjutor, the pilgrim archives of Colle Don Bosco show that Artemide Zatti, canonized on 9 October last, passed by the Colle on 18 March 1934. In the register, it is signed as follows: Artemide Zatti Salesian missionary in Viedma, Patagonia, Argentina.

In fact, in 1934 Artemide Zatti had an experience that remained memorable in his life. On Easter day, April 1, the solemn canonization of Don Bosco was to be celebrated in Rome. Confreres from all over the world were sent to Rome as representatives of the various Provinces and communities to assist in the glorification of the Founder. The Provincial of Patagonia, Fr. Gaudenzio Manachino, chose Artemide Zatti to represent the Salesian brothers, announcing it at the Spiritual Exercises. There was general consensus for this choice, such was the prestige and esteem that Br. Zatti already enjoyed with everyone. He too must have been happy, being able to see Italy again from which he had been missing for over 30 years.

A suit was lent to him by Dr. Harosteguy, while Mrs. Maria Vásquez Linares, wife of the tailor Linares, made him a new one for the occasion. A hospitalized priest lent him an old suitcase. In Buenos Aires, Fr. Luigi Cencio got him the third-class ticket on the ship "Neptunia", and the Provincial sent him a letter of introduction to the houses in Italy.

The trip lasted 16 days. Zatti was in Turin, where he visited the places sanctified by Don Bosco's presence, including the “Colle”, where the Saint of Youth was born. In the epistolary, a single postcard sent from Turin: "From the foot of the altar of our dear Mother Mary Help of Christians to whom I have asked for a special blessing (and will continue to ask) for all the staff of the San Jose Hospital, I extend the most affectionate greetings to each one, in particular, praying that God, through the intercession of St. John Bosco, may pour out his copious blessing on all - Artemide Zatti."

After participating in the canonization of Don Bosco in Rome, he made a quick visit to Boretto, his birthplace. On April 28, 1934, he embarked on the ship "Oceania" in Naples with many souvenirs for his friends in Viedma, whom he saw again in mid-May with great joy. One can imagine the reception and what followed. The memories of the visit to Cottolengo were intertwined with those of the meeting with the Pope and with the saintly Don Bosco. These were Zatti's only real holidays: his spirit, more than his physique, emerged renewed.

InfoANS

ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

This site also uses third-party cookies to improve user experience and for statistical purposes. By scrolling through this page or by clicking on any of its elements, you consent to the use of cookies. To learn more or to opt out, click "Further Information".