Dili, Timor Leste, 10 October 2022 -- It is with great and enthusiasm that the Salesian congregation in the whole world celebrated the canonization of the blessed Artemides Zatti to the stage of Sainthood. The same, here in TLS Vice-Province, each Salesian Community and the parishes under the Salesian tutelage celebrated this historical and sacred celebration with joy and enthusiasm.
The celebration of the Eucharists started at 5 PM TLS time, in parallel with 10 AM Rome time where the celebration of the Canonization officially started in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican City which was presided over by the Pope.
In the introductory part of each Eucharistic celebration, the biography of this new saint was briefly illustrated. The Salesian Family in Dili was gathered in Mary Help of Christians Parish for the Eucharistic celebration which was presided over by the Vice-Provincial, Fr. Manuel Pinto, SDB. In Baucau, the Eucharistic celebration was held in the Cathedral of Baucau, presided over by the Rector of the community, Fr. Agnelo Jerónimo, SDB while in Lospalos the Eucharistic celebration was held in the parish church of the Salesian community in Lospalos that was presided over by Fr. Thomas Gusmão, SDB, the Parish Priest. The same was done in other communities in the vice-province.
The Eucharistic Celebrations were using the Sunday Eucharistic Liturgy since the celebration falls on Sunday. During the homily, the three homilists in their respective celebrations emphasized their reflection on the readings of the XXVIII Sunday Ordinary time and the life and virtues of this new Saint.
In Dili, Fr. Manuel Pinto, SDB developed his homily under the title of “St. Artemides Zatti: A grace of God for the Church and the Salesian Family.” He stated his homily by presenting a summary of Rector Major’s message on this gift the congregation received through the canonization of Blessed Zatti. The message was full of sincere love and affection to all the Salesian family around the world.”
As far as the readings and the life of St. Zatti are concerned, the Vice-provincial summarized his homily into: “THE GRACE OF GOD, THE LOVE OF GOD, AND GOD’S UNIVERSAL PLAN OF SALVATION”. Furthermore, he said,“God has shown his goodness not only by words but through concrete examples. These concrete examples are Naaman, the 10 lepers, and St. Artemides Zatti.”
The episode on Naaman reveals to us that only God/YHWH offers LIFE and SALVATION, without limit and excluding anyone. Our response is to RECOGNIZE the grace of God, WELCOME (receive and accept) God as the only savior,and manifest to him our GRATITUDE. Regarding the date of the canonization of St. Zatti, he didn’t find any motives but according to him personally maybe because the readings on the 28th Sunday year C of Ordinary Time are talking about GRATITUDE. Aside from that, there is also a common idea on HEALTH. The sick Naaman got healed through the grace of God. The 10 lepers, after all, got healed through the intervention of Jesus and St. Artemides Zatti who was infected with serious TBC and the doctors had surrendered but then he got healed through faith and unending prayer to God through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary Help of Christians.
He, then concluded his homily with the message from the Rector Major to the whole Salesian Family in the world that sounds: “in this year that we celebrate the feast of a giant Saint, the 400 anniversary of his death that teaches us sanctity through simplicity, then followed by Don Bosco that gave all his time and his life for his boys, the same also with Artemides Zatti living in holiness in a particular manner in his daily work with dedication, with simplicity and with sympathy to the family, young people and most especially to the sick.”Together with the universal Church, with the Salesian Family in the world let’s raise our hearts to the Lord and thank God for this special Grace," he added.
After the Mass, everyone was invited for a snack in the parish hall prepared by the Salesian Family in Dili. After the snacks, the TLS Social Communication team presented a video dedicated to St. Zatti in the Tetum version and a song on Zatti’s life produced by the Post-Novitiate community. Then there were dance presentations from the Oratorians of Don Bosco Comoro, Dili.
