On the occasion of the Christmas holidays, in the celebrations for his 55th year of priesthood, he returns to his childhood city and where his family of origin still lives, Don Giuseppe Scattolin.
A special moment for Castellanza and the occasion to receive, in the presence of the Mayor Mirella Cerini and the representatives of the Municipal Administration, the priest, councilor and friend to whom so many faithful have entrusted their hearts and their faith in recent years and put his signature on the Book of Honor of the City.
Last June 28, Don Giuseppe celebrated at the Most Holy Name of Mary of Cremella – Barzanò and Sirtori (LC), the last of the Pastoral Communities in which he worked, his 55th year of priesthood.
A particular spirituality, made up of closeness and profound listening, but also of great fortitude and charisma. Brother Giampiero tells how, from a very young age – he had the “call to the priesthood” around the age of 12 – his passion and energy have always been so vibrant and impetuous as to increase the number of vocations in young people in every place where exercised his preaching, to the point of joking with him, often, about the “dangerousness” of having “this apparently shy and reserved priest” … a little too close.
Consecrated in 1967, under the guidance of Don Augusto Castiglioni and Don Giovanni Arrigoni, he was immediately appointed Vice Rector of the College of Porlezza, then moved to Golasecca and later to Canzo. The meeting in Canzo with Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini was fundamental, of whom he became a great friend and confidant, as well as collaborator until his death in 2012.
It was Cardinal Martini himself who entrusted him with the task of creating in the Villa Sacro Cuore of Triuggio an environment of fraternal welcome and joyful serenity, but also of reflection and help for priestly life. A task that Don Giuseppe carried out for 25 years with commitment and dedication, giving life, in the 6 chapels of the Villa, to a spirituality center and venue for conferences, courses and meetings capable of accommodating up to 150 beds and opening the doors to priests from every part of Italy, but also to groups and families in spiritual retreat.
In 2008 he assumed the pastoral role in the parish of Barzanò, becoming in 2016 responsible for the Community of SS Nome di Maria, which includes not only Barzanò but also the parishes of Sirtori and Cremella, where he still resides.
“A priest to the end” – comments his brother Giampiero – “as there are few” – pride and a touch of emotion in his eyes – “the hundreds of people say it, above all young and former young people, now parents and maybe even grandparents, who have always been around him, volunteers and above all the young novices, priests and nuns to whom he never fails to give spiritual comfort and some good advice”.
“I would like to express” – concludes the Mayor Mirella Cerini – “a heartfelt and sincere Thanks, as a person and as Mayor, together with the entire Administration, to Don Giuseppe Scattolin for the love, attention and listening he has been able to give in recent years, to many young people, guiding them in a path of growth that was both personal and spiritual, helping to train not only people, but also better citizens”.