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The Diocese of Cefalù has chosen places that are symbols of redemption and hope for the offering of oil for the votive lamp of the municipalities of Italy which burns in Assisi on the tomb of Saint Francis.
This gesture, which is renewed every year on the occasion of the feast of the patron saint of Italy, sees Sicily as the protagonist this year, and the dioceses of the island will contribute one thousand liters of oil. The one from Cefalù will participate with around 60 liters obtained from olives coming from the three sectors of the Diocese: Valle del Torto, Tirreno and Alte Madonie. The oil from Valle del Torto will be supplied by the Cooperativa Verbumcaudo, obtained from olives coming from the property of the same name near the municipalities of Villalba, Vallelunga Pratameno and Valledolmo, confiscated from the mafia of Michele Greco, historic mafia boss of Cosa Nostra, by judge Giovanni Falcone and became a symbol of redemption for the entire territory.
For the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Talent Network Consortium donated the oil obtained from an olive grove of 22 thousand trees in Collesano, also on land confiscated from the mafia. The Alte Madonie oil coming from the lands of Geraci Siculo and the other Madonie municipalities will be donated by the Primoamore company. To these will be added “Elayon. The Bishop’s Oil”, the oil produced by the Diocese of Cefalù thanks to the Laboratorio della Speranza Foundation. This solidarity project uses olives coming from the neighboring lands of the “Casa del Mandorlo”, a work intended for the first reception of immigrant and refugee families in Castelbuono and from those adjacent to the “Villa del Vescovo” of Cefalù, entrusted to two local families with the objective of combating youth depopulation.
The Diocese of Cefalù, led by the bishop Monsignor Giuseppe Marciante, is preparing for this important event with meetings in all the parish communities of the area. Since April 13, the lamp of Saint Francis has been reaching various locations for moments of prayer and reflection. The diocesan initiatives will culminate on 3 and 4 October in Assisi with the event “Keepers of beauty, let’s light up hope”. In particular, on 4 October, during the feast of Saint Francis, patron saint of Italy, a Eucharistic celebration will be held in the Upper Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi, presided over by the President of the Sicilian Episcopal Conference, Monsignor Antonino Raspanti.
The choice of the Diocese of Cefalù to offer oil coming from places symbolizing redemption and hope is not only a tribute to Saint Francis, but a way to make his teaching current. In a world that is often faced with injustice and desperation, these oils tell stories of hope and rebirth, of social justice and inclusion, of welcome and respect, in continuity with the simple strength of the Franciscan message.
