Busto Arsizio, Italy – 19 September 2015
By Mario Colombo
Fr. Gianluigi Colombo, who spent 40 years of his missionary life in the Philippines and returned recently back to his native Italy due to health reasons, received a prestigious award in his hometown of Busto Arsizio (Varese region, close to Milan, Northern Italy).
On the 200th Birthday of Don Bosco the ‘Olga Fiorini Award’ for individuals specially engaged in favor of the new generations was given to Sr. Carla Bosetti, FMA and a ‘Special Thanksgiving’ went to Fr. Gianluigi Colombo, SDB. Unfortunately Fr. Gianluigi was not present due this bad health, at present he can only ‘walk from his room to the Church and from the Church to his room’.
With other Italian missionaries Gianluigi reached at young age the Philippines and served the youth both in the South (Cebu, Boys Town workshops) and in the North (Manila, Makati – Don Bosco Press). Many Salesians would remember the old photo of the Salesian football team of the 60th that was always superior to the Filipino national team.
Especially during his last period in the Makati Don Bosco became famous due to the foundation of ‘Amici Don Bosco’ restaurant and tireless enterprising activity in the Don Bosco Press, Vocation training for the youth both in the Press as well in the Food technology with strong Italian touch.
The story of highly optimistic and enterprising Salesians was covered also by the famous Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera in the article of Severgnini (22nd December 2005) and became part of the book ‘Italians. Il giro del mondo in 80 pizze’ (Rizzoli, 2008). The sketch of Fr. Gianluigi is about ‘down to earth mentality, always starting with the analysis of concrete problems followed with simple and practical solutions, never waiting for great projects but working hard with a common sense and strong believe in the Providence.
In the name of all Past Pupils of Don Bosco and the Salesian of the Philippines we congratulate to Fr. Gianluigi and wish him grace filled days in the autumn of his life in his native land. For the Italian language readers there are two profile sketches in the attachment.
Fr.Gianluigi
Famous footbal team (late 60th - Canlubang)
