On Saturday, May 9th, at 8:00 PM in the Madonna Assunta parish, the Doctrinaries offered the city of Vittoria the opportunity to remember Father Lodovico Santoro—the great priest who gave his energy and life “without measure,” from 1967 to 1997, to the Vittoria community—with the presentation of the book, edited by Marilena Dragone and Giuseppe Gagliarducci and featuring a preface by the mayor of Pontecorvo, Anselmo Rotondo, “The Life of a Doctrinary Donated “Without Measure,” Father Lodovico Santoro.”
Speakers included Francesca Corbino, Councilor for Education for the Municipality of Vittoria; Father Sergio La Pegna, Superior General of the Doctrinaries; Professor Salvina Dieli; and Father Beniamino Sacco; the moderator was Luciano D’Amico.
After greetings from Father La Pegna, who introduced his brother Lodovico Santoro, and Councilor Corbino, Luciano D’Amico outlined the figure of Father Santoro and then gave the floor to Salvina Dieli, who collaborated with Father Santoro for 30 years during his ministry in Vittoria.
Dieli recalled meeting Father Santoro in 1967, when he arrived in Vittoria as parish priest at the Madonna delle Lacrime parish. He later followed him and collaborated with him in the parishes where he was assigned to work: Santa Maria Goretti, Spirito Santo, and Madonna Assunta.
He was the priest, the brother, and the friend to those who sought his spiritual and financial assistance. His day was divided between prayer and action. He cared deeply about the spiritual formation of the communities, organizing training sessions for adults, youth, and children.
Due to the poverty of the premises and the limited capacity of the church, the sacrament of Confirmation was administered in the churchyard surrounded by olive trees and with a well of drinking water in the center, under the clear blue sky.
He laid the foundations and contributed to the formation of many young men, some now priests and doctrinal men—Father Sergio La Pegna and Father Giuseppe Giunta—and the Camillian Brother Carlo Mangione. Thanks to his greatness of spirit and spirit of sacrifice, he dedicated his days to the poor, the sick, and the homeless.
She used a small room adjacent to the parish church, owned by benefactors Emanuele Iacono and his sister Teresa, to house the first immigrants. In 1980, she created the Reception Center, providing shelter to immigrants who landed on the shores of Vittoria. With the help of the parishioners, she provided them with food and clothing and helped them find work on the farms.
A tireless priest, the “priest of difficult situations,” he brought comfort to all. His “good words” translated into concrete action: kindness and charity, a poor man among the poor.
The “salons” frequented by Father Santoro were the bedrooms of the elderly and the sick, the hospital ward, first in Vittoria, later in Pontecorvo, the poor man’s house and the “street”, the home of the first immigrants.
The speaker thanked Father Santoro for all he has given to each of us and invoked from God the reward that is due to the Holy Apostles, to those who have given their lives for the good of their brothers: Holiness.
This was followed by a speech by Father Beniamino Sacco, who, having taken over the baton from Father Santoro, continued his work and assistance to non-EU citizens on the path of charity and poverty.
Present were, in addition to his grandchildren Maristella and Lodovico Santoro, friends, the faithful of the parishes where Father Santoro served, the Doctrinaries Father Giuseppe Giunta, Father Prosper Ntabangana and Father Libére Mjawenayo.
The presentation concluded with a spontaneous and shared request to name a square, square, or street after Father Santoro. The request was delivered to Mayor Francesco Aiello.
In closing, speaker Salvina Dieli extended an invitation to those present: “Do you want to stay young forever? Collaborate with the Doctrinaries.”
Pinetta Dieli
