Juan Edmundo Vecchi – “Beatification of Bro. Artemide Zatti: a sensational precedent” in “Acts of the General Council of the Salesian Society of St John Bosco”

The letter celebrates the recent beatification of seven Salesian coadjutor martyrs and Brother Artemide Zatti. It underscores the significance of these events in filling a historical gap and highlighting the value of coadjutor brothers in Salesian life. The text emphasizes the exemplary service of coadjutor brothers in various roles and their commitment to Don Bosco’s mission. It urges reflection on the vocational path of coadjutor brothers and calls for practical commitment at the provincial and regional levels to promote the Salesian lay vocation.

Contents:

• 1. The Missing Fragment
• 2. Don Bosco’s coadjutor Brothers
• 3. Vocational profile of Artemide Zatti
  • 3.1 Meeting with Don Bosco in Patagonia
  • 3.2 Salesian vocation
  • 3.3 The trial of sickness and its acceptance
  • 3.4 Always with Don Bosco as a Salesian Brother
  • 3.5 A full-time Good Samaritan
  • 3.6 Towards a long prepared meeting: popular recognition as “kinsman to the poor”

• 4. Message of Artemide Zatti: prospects for today
  • 4.1 Unique testimony to salesian holiness
    • The magnetism of Don Bosco
    • Total dedication
    • Infirmarian and educator
    • “Sanctified work”: synthesis of spirituality and professional skill
    • Evangelically rooted rellection of God
  • 4.2 The Salesian Brother
    • The figure of the salesian coadjutor
    • Some particular points:
    • The institutional form of Institutes
    • The salesian brother and lay collaborators;
    • Formation of the salesian brother
• 5. Pastoral work for vocations: invitation to a special commitment
• Conclusion: our call to sanctity

Reference time period: 2001

Reference institution:
Direzione Generale SDB