The celebration for the end of the year here at the UPS have been joyful but also a little low-key. Many are still away, of course. We had an evening prayer together with all the Salesians of the vice-province who are still here -- a thanksgiving for the year, and a remembrance of the blessings of these months that have been called 2007. Don Giuseppe Nicolussi, superior of the University province, presided over this prayer vigil.
As we did through the month of November, we also made remembrance of the Salesians of the UPS province who died during the past 12 months. In fact, seven Salesians died here in 2007:
Don Paolo Natali, former regional of Italy and councilor for formation who served as provinical superior from 1990 to 1993, until he became debilitated with parkinsons, died on 30 December 2006 at age 81.
Signor Cristoforo Catalanotto, lay Salesian from Southern Italy who worked in the library of the UPS during my student years, and who always impressed me for his warmth and humanity, died on 22 April 2007 at age 82.
Don Pietro Stella, foremost scholar of Don Bosco for the entire Salesian world, professor of history at Rome's Sapienza University, native of Sicily and conversant in Piedmontese, and perhaps the authority on Jansenism in these last years, died here at the UPS on 1 June 2007 and age 76.Don Giovanni Bosco Shirieda, Japanese Salesian priest who met the Salesians as a boy during World War II, and converted to Christianity thanks to their example. He came to the UPS in the 1990s as the university strengthened relations with the arts and business communities of Japan, but suffered from Alzheimers, and so looked much older than his years. He died on 10 June 2007 at age 75.
Don Sergio Felici, once dean of the School of Latin and Classical Languages, was well known among all the students because he used to organize the Italian classes for new foreign students and the orientation experiences at the start of the academic years. He remained active after retirement and in spite of weakening health. On the day that Don Stella died, Don Sergio showed signs of very low blood pressure, and was taken to hospital. He died on 13 June 2007 at age 81.
Signor Luciano Nocera was financial administrator for the community of the deacons, San Tommaso, and worked in the the financial offices of the University as well. Signor Luciano was cordial and welcoming, a joyful presence among the students, always ready to assist them in any of their needs. He was also a wonderful team player, both with the staff members of the San Tommaso Community, and with those who worked in the University administration. Signor Luciano died very suddenly of a heart attack on 15 September 2007 at age 69.
Signor Mirto Robuschi became a Salesian with the hope of working in the missions, but spent most of his life working in international communities within Italy. From the beginning of the UPS he worked as part of the financial and maintenance team, and continued long after his official retirement. He died suddenly on 13 October 2007 at age 81 (he was born on Christmas Day 1925).
So, remembering our dead, our prayer moved to thanksgiving for the year of 2007 with a Te Deum, and a prayer for effective peace in 2008…
After the prayer, we gathered for a festive New Year's Eve dinner, according to the southern Italian tradition, with fish of every sort, and nuts, and cheese, and lemon salads… and a lot of noise.
Addio, 2007! When all is said and done, we enjoyed your visit!
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