At the crossroads of the streets

"The most beautiful days of my little story are those I lived among the crowds of people in the squares and streets of many cities in Italy, evangelizing Jesus Christ". In the words of Don Giovanni Rossi, the founder of Pro Civitate Christiana of Assisi, there is all her heart in love with God and man. The words of Jesus «Then he said to his servants: The wedding banquet is ready, but the guests were not worthy; go now to the crossroads and all those you will find, call them to the wedding " (Mt 22,8-9) marked his life. «How to evangelize? Jesus himself taught us this. His word was alive, fresh, responsive to the circumstances of the place and time in which he found himself. The note of simplicity must distinguish those who evangelize. Evangelizing means bringing to men the good news, the revelation made by Jesus. Those who have had faith must feel the need to instill it in others so that all may enjoy the same joy as him ». Humble provincial priest, chosen by Blessed Card. Ferrari, archbishop of Milan as secretary, in 1921 founded the Compagnia di San Paolo by creating professional schools, youth culture clubs, a library, a cinema, an economic canteen, a secretariat of the people and a home for single mothers. Forced for various reasons to leave the presidency, in December 1939 he was welcomed with some Paulines by the bishop of Assisi, Msgr. Nicolini. There he founded the Pro Civitate whose central purpose was to bring the lay world closer to the figure of Jesus, above all through the missions to the people. Recently the city of Francesco dedicated a large area to him, very close to the Christian Citadel.


Annamaria Gobbato
NP August / September