Day in the sign of San Giuseppe Moscati for the city of Benevento yesterday, Friday 3 May, thanks to the initiatives promoted by the Benevento Delegation of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, with the patronage of the Archbishop’s Curia of Benevento and the capital municipality. The citizens of Benevento and beyond were able to venerate the relics of the saintly doctor, which arrived from Santa Lucia di Serino, first in the morning at the Parish of San Giuseppe Moscati in Capodimonte, welcomed by the parish priest Don Lupo Palladino, and then in the afternoon in the Church of Sofia whose doors were opened by Don Nicola Della Pietra. Following, in the beautiful Municipal Theater, the theatrical performance “Giuseppe Moscati our saint”, which recounted the most significant moments of his life. The theatrical work was created by the “Instabile e riballante del Rione Sanità” company, which has the interesting characteristic of being made up of doctors and healthcare workers from the Moscati Hospital in Avellino.
All the moments were characterized by a large presence of people who showed a heartfelt devotion for the saint, entrusting their many spiritual needs to his intercession and also the desire to know his life and his thoughts, as attested by the packed theater in evening.
The best summary of the figure of Saint Giuseppe Moscati was given by the Archbishop of Benevento HE Mons. Felice Accrocca who recalled that he “is a direct and immediate model for the entire lay world. He became a saint in the hospital wards, in the daily life of the Gospel”. The Benevento delegate of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher Riccardo Derna underlined the dutifulness of what was organized because Moscati is “our saint”, having been born in Benevento, and recalled the fundamental commitment of the Order in supporting the Holy Land and in particular to Catholic schools of all levels which operate there to build peaceful relationships between young people belonging to different ethnic groups.
Precisely in this regard, the Lieutenant for Tyrrhenian Southern Italy of the Order Giovanni Battista Rossi intervened and told those present at the Municipal Theater: “Three weeks ago I was in Jerusalem, a city now devoid of pilgrims, with very few shops open and I saw an even more dramatic situation in Bethlehem where all the artisan activities, due to the terrible violence, are on their knees. Every form of support, therefore, is our duty.”
The mayor of Santa Lucia di Serino Ottaviano Vistocco and the parish priest of Santa Lucia di Serino Don Emanuele Roca, who were present at all times of the day, brought the relics of San Giuseppe Moscati to Benevento. The mayor explained with great pride the historical roots of the Moscati paternal family in the town of Irpinia since 1500 and the commitment to keeping their memory alive.
The councilor for culture Antonella Tartaglia Polcini spoke for the Municipality of Benevento and highlighted how Moscati with his life demonstrated the fruitful relationship between science and faith.
Also very significant is the presence of Fabrizio Moscati, relative and descendant of the Moscati family who promoted a study center named after the saint to make his figure even more known.
The organizational effort put in place by the Benevento Delegation of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem was possible thanks to the dedication of a working group coordinated by Knight Massimo Contini.
Also participating in the meeting were Gerardo Pierri, Secretary of the Sannio – Irpinia Section of the Order and Father Antonio Tremigliozzi, Provincial Minister of the Friars Minor of Sannio and Irpinia.
This afternoon, Saturday 4 May at 6.00 pm at Club House La Fagianella, we continue with the presentation of the book “I Moscati di Santa Lucia di Serino”.
