Castiglione Celebrates San Luigi Gonzaga and Honors Don Rinaldo Dalboni
Yesterday’s solemn celebrations marked the feast of San Luigi Gonzaga, the patron saint of youth worldwide and of Castiglione. The pontifical mass in the square in front of the Basilica of San Luigi was preceded by a ceremony at the town hall for the awarding of the first Luigi d’oro, a civic honor established precisely this year.
By unanimous decision of the city council, the recognition was awarded to don Rinaldo Dalboni, who has been the rector of the Basilica of San Luigi for 54 years. Numerous authorities were present: in addition to the mayor, assessors, and councilors, there were the president of the Province, Fontanili, the prefect Ietto, and the questore Mazzilli, provincial military leaders, local commanders of the police Aresti and of the carabinieri Sorrentino, as well as figures from the economic and labor sectors.
The authorities and religious celebrations
Then the religious authorities, with Bishop Monsignor Caporello, the parish priests of the Castiglione area—don Marino, don Maurizio, don Andrea—and Sister Chiara, superior of the Collegio delle Vergini. Finally, the main figure, don Rinaldo Dalboni, who was ordained exactly 60 years ago in the Cathedral of Mantua by Bishop Menna.
The Mayor Sigurtà, honored and moved, recalled the extraordinary qualities of the priest, while Professor Paganella recounted his life, highlighting his moral and cultural virtues. The bishop described him as a point of reference for the youth of many generations and as a curator of the cult of San Luigi Gonzaga, recalling Pope John Paul II’s visit to the Aloisian basilica ten years ago, and promising to confer the title of monsignor on the venerable rector.
After the official presentation of the Luigi d’oro, don Rinaldo, visibly touched, thanked those present, who all stood up to applaud him. “I have always loved Castiglione, and I will always love it, as long as my eyes are open,” he said before giving a blessing to the citizens gathered in the council hall.
The mass and the remembrance of Giovanni Paolo II
Subsequently, Monsignor Caporello celebrated the mass in the square, crowded with faithful from the vicariate and the diocese, for the feast of San Luigi. At the end of the religious service, a plaque was unveiled between the basilica and the town hall, created by the Castiglione sculptor Gino Salvarani, in memory of Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1991.