Of Maurizio Malvestiti*
Augustine and Francesca Cabrini: Leo XIV brings them together on June 20, continuing to surprise us with their tireless Petrine service and sparking dialogue between faith and reason, between cultures and religions. But also by encouraging meetings between churches and territories around figures of humanity and holiness who are great for the choice of truth and freedom in justice and peace.
This was widely confirmed by the “Iberian magisterium” during the recent apostolic trip to Spain, with calm and therefore clear, strong and convincing words. It is an appeal that reaches the conscience, after having healed its wounds, as Christ, the new Man, knows how to do, not allowing the enigma of evil and death to oppress us (cf. Gaudium et spes 22). Conscience then takes charge of reminding us that “we are eternal seekers of God” (Saint Augustine) because “he who seeks finds and to whom he knocks it will be opened” (Mt 7, 7). The saint, in the thought reported on the image of the visit, completes the declaration thus: “seek as one who has found, find as one who always has to find”. Always on the lookout, then! However, not by the habitually dissatisfied or disappointed, much less desperate. The destination, in fact, is certain. The restlessness attests to this, leading Augustine to rest in God (cf. Confessions1, 1.5) and Francesca Cabrini to solidarity with Italian migrants in the Americas. In search for both of us of the great Heart, from which we come and which awaits us.
Born in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano in 1850 but “born in heaven” in 1917 in Chicago, homeland of Leo It is the Cabrinian revolution of the spirituality of reparation. Contemplating the pierced Heart of the Redeemer to the point of mysticism meant being consumed in the resourcefulness of an overwhelming charity in concreteness and foresight, which earned her citizenship of the United States of America. And she became its first saint, canonized eighty years ago.
In full harmony with Augustine, Francesca Cabrini writes: «may I always find You to love You, know You to imitate You, love You to possess You… You want, oh my Jesus, that I always seek You with all my affection, you want me to find You, to know You and to love You and to glorify You” (from proprioum of the Church of Lodi on November 13th).
A territory and a Church open to the world
Lodi and Pavia, geographically bordering, share this heritage of sanctity whose social relevance appears evident and fruitful. “Magnificent humanity” cannot remain on the sidelines of history’s weaknesses. We must move from diagnosis to the inevitable therapy of acceptance and integration, think about and pursue sowing without waiting for immediate fruits. In a decisive opening to the world.
The diocese of Lodi is moving in this direction with its 300 thousand inhabitants (to be precise 296 thousand, obviously not all Catholic). In addition to the 60 municipalities in the province, there are 10 others divided between the provinces of Milan, Cremona and Pavia. There are 121 parishes, with 160 priests of which 146 are diocesan. There are 9 permanent deacons. Among the 10 diocesan seminarians, 4 were ordained on 13 June. There are 118 religious women. There are 10 religious priests with one brother. There are 2000 catechists.
Serving the territory requires knowing its precariousness and opportunities. The demographic winter, the 12 percent percentage of the foreign population, the high percentage of young people who do not study or work, for example. However, with the presence of schools, including universities, engaged in promising integration. There are numerous students from the Catholic University and the presence of Catholic schools is appreciated.
Historically dedicated to agriculture, the Lodi area now has two notable industrial centers and is experiencing an important transformation with the development of information technology, pharmaceutical chemistry and cosmetics. There is a great expansion of logistics, at the service of artificial intelligence, which however exploits large surfaces and requires electricity and water in quantity, sometimes penalizing the environmental context.
Social communication is important. Since 1890 the diocese has published «Il Cittadino», an information tool for Catholics, which has been a daily newspaper (the most widespread in the area) since 1989.
Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, with its 13 thousand inhabitants, has a higher-than-average presence of foreigners in the rich and lively associative and voluntary fabric, including Catholic ones. It can be fertile ground for relaunching the constant teaching of the Holy Father.
In this context, the Church of Lodi responds with the XIV Diocesan Synod, whose Bookentitled «Earth, People, Things: the Gospel for all» was promulgated in 2022. New pages have been added. That of the VII Diocesan Eucharistic Congress (2023). In dialogue with the journey of the Churches in Italy, the three-year period began from that event: “Synodality and Holiness” in a Jubilee perspective. Its aim is to relaunch the virtuous theological triad, thanks to sacramental life, around three indicators: the spiritual dimension of Christian testimony, the poor, young people for an evangelical reading and animation of contexts and times in the pursuit of a reconciled, united and peaceful sociality.
The preparation and the waiting
The anticipation of the visit was favored by the spiritual preparation: the vocational vigil in the church of San Francesco in Lodi, that of Pentecost with the lay gatherings in the cathedral, Corpus Domini and the presbyteral ordinations. With two trips: to Sant’Angelo and Codogno to highlight the message of Agostino and Francesca Cabrini in Eucharistic adoration together with the Petrine service. We invited believers and non-believers, especially young people and those of secular inspiration who are sensitive to the testimony of Leo XIV for his attention in the name of the Gospel to abuses and lies to the detriment of the most disadvantaged.
We ask the Pope to confirm us in the faith to reawaken the mission, with the aim of solidarity. They are paths that lead to holiness in the gift of oneself and one’s possibilities in response to the charity of Christ. It is current holiness so that “history does not have to accuse us. Sooner or later, in fact, we will know whether we have protected humanity or whether we have let indifference speak for us” (Leo XIV, Port of Arguineguín, Gran Canaria, 11 June).
*Bishop of Lodi
