Castellanza pays homage to Don Scattolin with his signature on the city’s honor book

On the occasion of the Christmas festivities, in the celebrations for his 55th year of priesthood, Don Giuseppe Scattolin returned to his childhood city and where his family of origin still lives.

Castellanza celebrates with 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 his 55th year of priesthood at the Holy Name of Mary of Cremella – Barzanò and Sirtori (LC), the last of the Pastoral Communities in which he worked.

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 times, on the “danger” of having “this apparently shy and reserved priest ”.. a bit too close.

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Consecrated in 1967

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 a 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. Task that for 25 years Don Giuseppe carries out 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 e opening the doors to priests from every part of Italy, but also to groups and families on 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 core

“A priest to the core” – comments his brother Giampiero again – “as there are few” – in the eyes the pride and a touch of emotion – “the hundreds of people say it, especially young and former young people, now parents and maybe even grandparents, who have always surrounded him, the volunteers and above all the young novices, priests and nuns to whom he never fails to give spiritual comfort and some good advice ”.

Thanks from Mayor Mirella Cerini

“I wish to manifest “- concludes Mayor Mirella Cerini – “a heartfelt and sincere Thank you, as a person and as Mayor, together with the entire Administration, to Don Giuseppe Scattolin for the love, attention and listening that 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.”