Pope Francis Sketches the Figure of Artemides Zatti
Migrant, relative of the poor, Salesian coadjutor, and
intercessor for vocations
(ANS – Vatican City
– October 8, 2022) – Pope Francis showed a detailed, precise, timely, and
personal knowledge regarding St. Artemides Zatti. Speaking at the ceremony
scheduled in Paul VI Hall on the eve of the canonization, he offered the
faithful and pilgrims an accurate profile of Zatti as a migrant, a relative of
all the poor, a Salesian coadjutor brother, and an intercessor for vocations.
Welcomed by the
general enthusiasm of all the faithful present at the event, while the choir
directed by Fr. Francesco de Ruvo, SDB, sang the famous Salesian song Giù
da’ Colli, the Holy Father then received the greeting of the Rector Major, who
thanked him for granting this special audience to the pilgrims and devotees of
Zatti.
Afterward, the
Pontiff began his address and started from the figure of Zatti as a migrant.
While in the context of 19th-century migrations many migrants lost with their
roots their faith as well, the Zattis instead remained faithful. “Participation
in the life of the Christian community, cordial relations with the priests,
common prayer at home, and attendance at the sacraments did not fail. Artemides
grew up in an excellent Christian environment.” That is why, after meeting them
in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, Zatti later matured the decision to become a
Salesian.
Describing Zatti in
light of the nickname he was given early in life, “relative of all the poor,”
Pope Francis then recalled his tireless zeal for all the sick, the fruit of
that promise he had made in his youth after he was cured of tuberculosis. “In
that sliver of Patagonian land, where the life of our Blessed flows,” the
Pontiff commented in words of great delicacy, “a page of the Gospel was
rewritten: the Good Samaritan found in him heart, hands, and passion, first and
foremost for the little ones, the poor, the sinners, the least. He continued
further, “Thus a hospital became the ‘Father’s Inn,’ a sign of a Church that
wants to be rich in gifts of humanity and grace, a dwelling place of the
commandment of love of God and brother, a place of health as a pledge of
salvation.”
It was precisely
his unity with God that enabled him to act as he did for the needy: “His
intense work and tireless availability for the needs of the poor were animated
by a profound union with the Lord: constant prayer, prolonged Eucharistic
adoration, praying the Rosary. Artemides was a man of communion, who knew how
to work with others: nuns, doctors, nurses; and by his example and counsel he
formed people, shaped consciences, converted hearts.”
Zatti as coadjutor brother
was the third aspect highlighted by Francis. He cited Zatti’s words that shape
the canonization motto – “I believed, I promised, I was healed” – and the
episode in which Zatti himself uttered them. For Zatti, such words expressed a
program of life, a life that, as the Pope noted, once “regained is no longer
his property, but is all for the poor,” and he lived this mission in communion
with his Salesian confreres: “He is the first to be present at community
moments; with his joy and sympathy he animates the brotherhood.”
Lastly, Pope Francis,
who as provincial superior of the Jesuits of Argentina promoted novenas and
prayers for new vocations of consecrated brothers through Artemides Zatti,
underlined Zatti’s role as intercessor, reporting his own direct testimony.
And finally
concluding, the Pope reiterated the testimonial and operational value of the
consecration of coadjutors, a vocation chosen with full awareness and lived to
the full by the future saint. “The brothers have a special charism that is
nourished in prayer and work. And they are good for the whole body of the Congregation.
They are people of piety, they are cheerful, hardworking. One does not see ‘inferiority
complexes’ in them for not being priests, and they do not aspire to become
deacons. They are aware of their vocation and they want it that way,” the Pope
said clearly, before imparting the apostolic blessing to all and leaving the
Paul VI Hall accompanied by the jubilant greeting of all the faithful.
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