Renewed this morning, in Piazza Duomo in Crotone, the ancient and suggestive rite of the blessing of the seeds, means and tools of the farmers’ work. An evocative rite that is renewed on the occasion of the celebrations in honor of San Dionigi, patron saint of the Pythagorean city together with the Madonna di Capocolonna.
A very ancient tradition in the Church, which acquires a particular significance especially in areas with a strong agricultural impact.
At the end of the blessing, the solemn Mass in honor of the saint, which was attended by the civil and military authorities with the mayor of Crotone Vincenzo Voce.
In the course of his homily, Monsignor Angelo Raffaele Panzetta intended to make us reflect on what has been accomplished through the blessing of seeds and work tools.
“The life of our community – highlighted Monsignor Panzetta – is marked by the sowing, which is under the protection of San Dionigi, later also by Santa Anastasia and the harvest that is reached during the celebrations in honor of the Madonna di Capo Colonna . Let us sow – continued the prelate – under the tutelage of Saint Dionysius and Saint Anastasia and we reap in the grace and protection of Mary Most Holy and in doing so the life of our community is all accompanied by the life of the saints and the protection of Mary Most Holy. It is nice to be gathered in the house of the Lord on such a beautiful and solemn day, this day that is a celebration for the city ”. Monsignor Angelo Raffaele Panzetta said again in the course of his homily, highlighting that the word heard “enlightens our hearts, comforts our feelings but above all shows us a path to follow as a city, as a Christian community”. Panzetta then wanted to reflect on what has been achieved through the blessing of seeds and work tools. Seeds that will be planted in the earth, which will become bread and legumes.
The life of our community – highlighted Monsignor Panzetta – is marked by the sowing that is under the protection of San Dionigi and later also of Santa Anastasia and the harvest that is reached during the celebrations in honor of the Madonna di Capo Colonna. We sow under the tutelage of Saint Dionysius and Saint Anastasia and we reap in the grace and protection of the Most Holy Mary, and in so doing the life of our community is all accompanied by the life of the saints and the protection of the Most Holy Mary. However, we warn that what we have done is only a gesture. Because we entrust to the protection of St. Dionysius not only the seed of wheat, maize, legumes and what will light up in the earth, but also the seed that is sown in the schools through formation, that seed that germinates in the womb of the our women, who bring new life; let us place every seed of life, every hope, every dream of redemption and development for our community under the custody of St. Dionysius ”. The feast of St. Dionysius is therefore the feast of hope and work recognized as cooperation in God’s activity. Monsignor Panzetta also invited everyone to never forget, in everyday life, that there is a spirituality of work which is the spirituality of sowing, spirituality of hope and that we must never throw in the towel in the face of so many difficulties. It is important that our seeds germinate and blossom but it is equally important that the seed of God’s word germinate in the hearts of all, in communities and families ”.