austraLasia #1857

Recognising a great missionary
(with thanks to BIS, India)

BANDEL (India): 25th May 2007 -- Veteran Italian Salesian and missionary, Fr Louis Gobetti, has been awarded the Chevalier of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity at a ceremony At Bandel Basilica, about 40 kms from Kolkata on 20th May.  The honour was presented in the name of the Italian Government by the Italian Consul in Kolkata.
    At 81 years of age, Fr Gobetti has spent 71 of them in India.  Born in the Udine region, he went to India as a novice and made his profession there in 1937.  Three places where he has served for an extended period of time are Krishnagar, Ranaghat and Bandel itself.  He spent some time as the Bishop's secretary and as Vicar General of Krishnagar diocese.
    The 'Stella della Solidarietà Italiana' is an honour originally instituted post-war, in 1947, to recognise the achievements of Italians and foreigners who played a distinguished role in the reconstruction of Italy after the War.  The Italian Government rightly recognises that Fr Gobetti's life and work have contributed to projecting the face of Italy as a country of solidarity.
    Receiving his Award at Mass on Sunday, Fr Gobetti acknowledged that he was doing so in the name of all Salesians. 'Solidarity is the spring of mutual love, given and received' he said. 'And that is the mainstay of the Salesians. It is evident that all members of the Salesian Society deserve to fully share the award of solidarity. It is in this reality alone that I receive this honour with great joy'.
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