Romana

On Friday, September 27, a section of St. Augustine’s Square in La Spezia was dedicated to St. Josemaría in the presence of the mayor Pierluigi Peracchini, Bishop Luigi Ernesto Palletti, and the Vicar of Opus Dei in Italy, Rev. Normann Insam.

This city welcomed St. Josemaría several times during his lifetime. The first was on June 23, 1946, a few hours after disembarking in Genoa after the long voyage from Barcelona on the ship J. J. Sister. And then, in 1947 and 1949, on his way to Milan and Central Europe, respectively.

During the ceremony, the mayor spoke about St. Josemaría’s message on the sanctification of work and the numerous initiatives he encouraged for the good of society. He concluded his speech by highlighting the spirit of openness found in Opus Dei and its founder towards those with different outlooks and beliefs.

Before blessing the plaque, Bishop Palletti pointed out that dedicating a space in the city to a saint is a positive gesture of witness and communion.

At the end of the event, Pippo Corigliano presented his latest book Il cammino di San Josemaría: Il fondatore dell’Opus Dei e i giovani [The Way of St. Josemaría: The Founder of Opus Dei and Young People], published by Mondadori.