The event attended by about 2,000 people was organise by the “Association pro-Marinelli - Francesco Convertini” in collaboration with the Salesian Institute of Cisternino and the two local authorities mentioned. The march was sponsored by about 40 local communities in the area and various other associations and organisations.
“Fraternity without boundaries” was the slogan which accompanied the two processions leaving Cisternino and Locorotondo, about 10 km apart, which half way along the route joined together to arrive at Marinelli where there is the trullo of the Convertini family in which the Servant of God lived before leaving for India and the famous oak tree, under which Fr Francesco loved to sit and meditate when he was at home.
In this way the organisers wanted to celebrate the memory of the Salesian missionary who dedicated over fifty years to the service of the young people of India, providing the opportunity to walk the streets that was an essential part of Fr Convertini’s apostolate and to practice moderation with a series of stalls selling simple fair-trade food products.
In the course of the day funds were collected for the diocese of Krishnagar, where on 11 February 1976 Fr Convertini died, which will serve to assist projects for the youngsters and to make a film on the life of the Salesian missionary to be organised by Fr Luciano Colussi. Present during the day were the civil authorities, Bishop Domenico Padovano of the diocese of Monopoli – Conversano and Fr Samuel Mondol, Fr Joseph Pauria and Fr C. M. Paul, three Indian Salesians from the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome.
The cause for the beatification and canonisation of the Servant of God Francesco Convertini was introduced on 16 October 1991.
Published 13/02/2008
