Puegnago Celebrates Beato Giuseppe Baldo’s Relics Return with Weeklong Program
Puegnago and all the people of Valtenesi are preparing to experience days of intense reflection and prayer, involved in an event of great significance that will be remembered over time. In the town of Valtenesi, from Saturday, August 11 to Sunday, August 19, solemn celebrations will take place for the return of the reliquary containing the remains of Beato Giuseppe Baldo, born in Puegnago on February 19, 1843, died in Ronco all’Adige on October 24, 1915, and beatified on October 31, 1989, by Pope John Paul II.
For the first time, with special permissions from the Diocese of Verona, the reliquary of the Beatified has been brought from Ronco all’Adige—where Don Baldo served as parish priest for 38 years—to the mother house in Verona and, for three days, to the parish church of Illasi, for the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the presence of the «Piccole Figlie di San Giuseppe», which he founded.
From Saturday, August 11 to Sunday, August 19, the relics will be at Puegnago. They will be welcomed by the parish priest Don Rinaldo Bellini, the nuns, officials, the faithful, and the town band.
Program of celebrations
The rich program of celebrations includes, on Saturday, August 11, at 6:30 PM, the welcome of the reliquary at the intersection at the bridge (former gas station). Then, in procession with hymns and prayers, the reliquary will be carried to the retirement home, where, at 7 PM, a mass will be celebrated.
On Sunday, August 12, at 8:30 PM, from the reception house, in the presence of the auxiliary bishop of Verona, Andrea Veggio, and priests from the vicariate of Desenzano, Salò, Gavardo, a procession will take place with the reliquary to the parish church dedicated to San Michele Arcangelo; followed by the mass.
Monday, August 13, will be dedicated to families: at 9 AM, morning prayers; at 4 PM, Eucharistic adoration; at 8 PM, mass with a meditation on the family by preacher Don Angelo Treccani, parish priest of Roò Volciano. At 9:30 PM, a concert by the female choir «Mulieris Vox», directed by Maestro Ennio Bertolotti.
Tuesday, August 14, will focus on associations and movements. At 9 AM, morning prayers; at 4 PM, Eucharistic adoration; at 8 PM, mass, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and adoration throughout the night.
On August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption and anniversary of the priestly consecration of Beato Giuseppe Baldo, which occurred on August 15, 1865, the day will begin at 8 AM with mass; at 9 AM, morning prayers; at 10:30 AM, mass; at 6 PM, Eucharistic adoration; and at 7 PM, mass.
Thursday, August 16,, marks the anniversary of Beato’s first mass in Puegnago. The day will include: at 9 AM, morning prayers; at 10 AM, mass and a meditation on Beato don Baldo, an ideal priest; at 4 PM, Eucharistic adoration; and at 8:30 PM, an evening for youth.
Friday, August 17, will be dedicated to the elderly. At 9 AM, morning prayers; at 10 AM, the Day of Religious; at 4 PM, Eucharistic adoration; at 5 PM, mass for the elderly; and at 8:30 PM, a penitential evening with communal confessions.
Saturday, August 18,, at 9 AM, morning prayers; at 4 PM, Eucharistic adoration; at 7 PM, mass; and at 9 PM, a concert by the town band in honor of the Beato in the courtyard of the rectory.
On Sunday, August 19, at 9 AM, morning prayers; at 10:30 AM, the solemn mass in the presence of the bishop of Verona, Flavio Carraro; at 5 PM, mass and a farewell to the Beato, after which the reliquary will be taken back to Verona.
