Remembering our dead at Genzano

As we have done in previous years, the combined communities of professors from the UPS has gone to the "holy ground" (which is what Italians call the cemetery) in Genzano where the dead of our University have been buried.

Mass for the dead in the cemetery chapel of Genzano

Last year we had a lot of fun with Signor Pio dal Pozzolo, but he kept saying that we would be visiting him this year. In fact, he died on 15 April, and we did in fact remember him today during the mass of suffrage and in visiting the tomb. Signor Pio, ever witting and pragmatic, was Piedmontese. He was born on 27 February 1925 and was a lay Salesian (in English countries he would be called a "Brother", but Salesians in Italy do not use that title).

Signor Pio dal Pozzolo, one year ago, at Genzano

Also, Don Roberto Iaconangeli died in the past year, last 27 December 2009, and therefore since our visit to Genzano. Don Iaconangeli was born in Genzano on 20 April 1916. He was professor of classical languages at the UPS from the beginning of the University, but in the last years had stayed in the Infirmary. It was his family that donated the tomb to the Salesians of the UPS so that we could bury our dead in one area. Tributes were paid to him today in both Italian and Latin.

Mausoleum where University Salesians and Iacoangeli family members are buried in Genzano

Following the blessing, we all went to a pizzeria in town that is owned by a Salesian alum for a bit of a "merenda". I used to think that "merenda" could be translated as "snack", but since our merenda lasted nearly two hours, I am looking for a different term to translate this word. In any case, it was another wonderful occasion to spend time together, tell stories, hear some songs and poetry from those at table, laugh and plot and plan. On the way home on the bus, we prayed the rosary again for the deceased members of our university community and for those of our provinces.