This is an update on the condition of Fr Pietro Stella. On the feast of Mary Help (24 May) he received the Sacrament of the Sick. Since that time he has not been able to celebrate mass. On Saturday he told Jozef Strus', the rector, that he his not afraid of daying and is ready. Then he said "It is time that I pass on the torch to another". When don Strus' asked him what he meant, don Stella said he was speaking of his place in the area of Salesian research. Stella named a confrere, but Strus' did not reveal this (however, I already know that Stella means to "pass the torch" to Aldo Giraudo, for he has been very matter of fact on this score with Aldo ever since he first became sick in November).
On Sunday Pietro Stella was visibly weakening. He could no longer stand unassisted. Today, Monday, he spoke very little. Relatives of his are starting to arrive to see him; his sister spent the entire day. Of course, Prospero Stella, who is older and much more reserved than Pietro, has been with him all during these days.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Pietro Stella's ordination. He made the remark on the day that we celebrated (Ascension) all the anniversaries: "Please thank the Lord with me that he has allowed me to meet Don Bosco, and then that he allowed me to love Don Bosco, and finally that he has helped me remain faithful to the Founder until the last."
Whatever develops next, the community here keeps him tight in prayer.
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