«Today I would like to propose to all of us three questions to try, if not to say, at least to stammer an answer about the tragedy we are experiencing. What does the death of Don Matteo say to all of us? ».
It is the question that the bishop of Novara asked, Franco Giulio Brambilla, In the homily, pronounced by the arm, of the funeral (above the photo of the diocese of Novara, editor’s note) Of Don Matteo Balzano, the 35 -year -old priest who died suicide last Saturday.
In the Collegiate of San Vittore a Cannobio (Verbano – Cusio – Ossola) crowded by many priests of the diocese, from family members, the faithful and young people of the Oratory of Cannobio that Don Matteo accompanied as vice -parish priest, Bishop Brambilla asked some questions to the community shocked by the tragedy that crossed the local borders and has pushed many priests, bishops and faithful to dedicate a thought to the young priest on social media On his tragic gesture and, also, on the malaise that often afflicts many priests silently.
First of all, said Monsignor Brambilla, “What does Bishop say to me, to us priests and to the people who live by our side in the community? We seek an answer in the readings that the Ambrosian rite proposes, reviving the passion of the Lord. In the song of the Gospel that we listened to Jesus he says to the disciples to follow a “man with the jug”, to find the room where they will consume the last dinner. The place where Easter live. Here, living the Easter of the Lord, “he explained,” is the profound meaning of the priest Ministry. Easter means “passage”. In the darkest and most difficult moments that we experience, Let’s remember that we always live this “passage” next to the Lord. To do this we must learn not to hide in front of our fears and efforts. We have to learn to listen to us. And to find, in our fraternal relationships, languages and words of welcome and communion ».
The second question asked by the bishop was this: «What does this death say to young people? Last Sunday, “he said,” I met the group of girls and boys of the Oratory of Cannobio, affection from pain. Even the words they addressed me echoed in some way the words of Jesus on the cross: “My God, why did you abandon me?”. I will meet them again to talk to them. But in the meantime I asked to write what they are experiencing, to tell their relationship with Don Matteo. And I asked them the question “What does this drama tell you?”. I wish you listened to their answer ».
At this point, Monsignor Brambilla left the floor ad Alessia, A girl from Cannobio, who read a text shared with all the young people of the oratory: “Dear Don Matteo – the words of Alessia – you have been more than our” Don “, more than our confessor and more than our guide. You were a sincere friend of ours. We will never forget the time spent together, during the groups in the oratory. Facing serious and important themes for our lives. But also the lighter ones. Our relationship with you is not over. He just turned. Because we know you will always be with us “.
“The third question,” continued Monsignor Brambilla, “is for all our families and for this city. What does this death tell us that has affected our hearts so deep? He says of the importance and urgency to put the cure of the soul back to the center. Because in our lives we are too often distracted by other priorities, from superficial things that distract us from important ones. The affection and pain for Matteo, who have shown so many these days and who unites us today, will perhaps be able to indicate the way to answer these questions ».
Then the bishop concluded his homily by reading “the only thing I felt like writing in these days. Just after meeting the boys of Cannobio: Sweet brother / young orphans infinite / infinite crying. I don’t know, “he concluded,” when my heart can stop crying. Certainly I too, like these young people, will not forget Don Matteo ».
At the beginning of the celebration, the episcopal vicar for the lakes Don Gianmario Lanfranchini, After drawing a short biographical profile of Don Matteo, he remembered the last time he met the priest: “The day of Pentecost -he said -, when we sang for the descent of the Sacred Costa, did I ask you” how are you “? You replied “well, indeed very well”. Today you remember that we must not be afraid of our fragility and as priests, of our humanity always illuminated by Christ. The real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist helps all of us to unite our pain with the sacrifice of Christ to the Father “.
The memory of the parish priest of Cannobio was moved, Don Mauro Caglio: “It was 20 months of fraternal life, of prayer and work shared with generous passion,” he said, addressing the young confrere directly, “you arrived everywhere in our parishes, you loved and welcomed the children and young people, you made the groups and the animators grow. How much passion you have had for our speakers! Attentive to the elderly, you took care of the catechists, found the time for the choir and for all collaborators and collaborators. You have been able to relate to all the associations of our territory, appreciated and welcomed by everyone, yet all this was not enough. For me, where the fraternity before was born from the ordination, you were an affectionate brother, devoted son, severe father for health in particular, a faithful friend, and wonderful walking companion in the service of the Lord in the communities entrusted to us. But this too, “he continued,”The serenity you deserved was not enough to restore. In this embrace that I deliver you as a lamb to the embrace of the good shepherd, so that he rubs you in his heart and make you feel all his love together with ours that we cry. For us, ask for consolation and hope ».
Don Matteo’s body was then brought to Grignasco, the country of origin, where the funeral celebration before the burial was chaired by Don Adriano Ciocca Vasino, Missionary Bishop in Brazil and originally from the Valsesian parish community.
