“Piacenza Course: A journey towards the Roots of our Founder and our Congregation”

The Piacenza Course, convened by the General Administration, began on June 1 in Rome, Italy, and completed on June 30 in Milan, Italy. Fourteen religious priests from various Scalabrinian Provinces and Regions, along with Fr. Mariano Cisco, CS and several of the confreres, gathered.

It was worthwhile to reflect on the experiences we had throughout our Piacenza course. This Piacenza Course was not the typical course. It was a spiritual path in life. It was a lifetime journey. It was a journey back to the roots of our founder and congregation.

This one-month journey was all about revisiting the journey of our Founder St. John Baptist Scalabrini, a man of contemplation and action. Revisiting to the places, where he had a great influence on people’s lives, was certainly very enriching and edifying experience. In fact, listening to our Scalabrinian confreres throughout our sessions made me admire our founder even more. He was a humble, genuine, devout, and untiring servant of God.

FORMATION TALKS

It was very nice to listen to many talks about our founder, congregation, migration, financial administration, integration of culture, and many others. But most importantly was listening to our brother priests—their stories, their joys, their struggles in their ministries! It told me that I was not alone in my own experience. I also had brothers who had struggled but managed to conquer it. It was an excellent channel for us to listen to everyone's story, which was rich with lessons and enlightenment. I was grateful for this re-encounter. It's like a reunion: we're reminiscing and remembering our own initial formation stages. This experience with my brothers was worth remembering and cherishing.

ROMA, PIACENZA, ARCO, BASSANO DEL GRAPPA, ETC.

I’m grateful that I was able to encounter our Scalabrinian Fathers in Rome, Piacenza, Arco, and Bassano del Grappa. I had a marvelous experience. Seeing our retired priests who were strengthened and revitalized by their missionary ministries. My heart was full of joy and enthusiasm because those priests had created a great impact on humanity. Now, getting old-frail and feeble, yet you can see the happiness and joy imprinted in their beautiful smiles. The wrinkles on their faces are the living testimonies that certainly they had offered their energy for the service of migrants, refugees, and seafarers. Listening to their stories, I was marveling at how they live and carry out their vocation in the local churches where they were assigned. We must continue to pray for them so that they might find peace in their retirement. It was a truly enriching experience!

I'm glad I was able to meet our Scalabrinian Fathers in Rome, Piacenza, Arco, and Bassano del Grappa. I had an excellent experience. Seeing our retired priests who have been strengthened and invigorated by their missionary experiences. My heart was filled with delight and exhilaration because those priests had made such a significant impact on humanity. Even though they are frail and sickly, you can feel the happiness and joy in their gorgeous smiles. The wrinkles on their faces are real proof that they had undoubtedly devoted their efforts to the service of migrants, refugees, and seafarers. Listening to their stories, I was struck by how they lived and carried out their vocations in the local churches where they were assigned. We must continue to pray for them so that they might find peace and joy in their retirement. It was a truly enriching experience!

HOLY PLACES: COMO, PIACENZA, and MILAN, ETC.

Exploring our founder's roots was a journey of reflection and contemplation.. It was great to return to his birthplace. Visiting places where St. Scalabrini grew and created miracles had me in awe! In fact, it convinced me that he was truly in love with God and incredibly devoted to the Eucharist; he understood how to translate contemplation of God and His mystery into ardent apostolic and missionary activity, becoming all things to all in order to proclaim the Gospel.

Visiting historical sites is not only a chance to learn about the past, but also to reconnect with our roots and appreciate a location's rich cultural legacy, which causes us to wonder how Scalabrini made history unforgettable and exceptional. This event has provided me with a profound insight of our founder. Learning about the historical significance of these locations may be both informative and enlightening. It can be humbling, reminding us of the trials and successes of those who came before us, such as Scalabrini.

To summarize, this Piacenza course is more than just a trip; it is a journey through time that expands our understanding of our founder and congregation. This is undoubtedly a treasure trove of knowledge and anecdotes that will help us better understand our origins and history.

By: Fr. Kenneth Lapitag Laorden,CS