RUNNING WITH NINO

I've written about Nino Baglieri, Modica's much loved unofficial saint, both on this blog and for Italy Magazine and I am happy to be able to report that, five years after his death, the request for his Beatification has been made.  


For the past few days, Nino's house in Modica has been a place of pilgrimage and his family were particularly pleased to welcome young people from the Salesian movement at the weekend.  


"Nino", said his sister, "encouraged young people to fight against the difficulties of everyday life, to go forward and never give up."


Nino Baglieri was 17 years old in 1968 when a fall from some scaffolding left him tetraplegic and for ten years afterwards he lived in self-imposed isolation, cursing both God and his fate.  Then, in 1978, during a prayer meeting in his house, he found God again.  From that moment he offered his suffering to Christ and, having joined the Salesians, became an inspiration to young and old alike.  He offered guidance to others who were suffering and, holding a pen in his mouth, began to write.  He travelled, too, spreading his message of love everywhere he went.  Those who visited him in Modica say that it was always Nino who comforted them and not the sick man who needed solace.

On his death bed, Nino asked for his tracksuit and sports shoes to be put out so that he "could run into the arms of God." It is for this reason that the young Salesians who gathered in Modica on Sunday adopted as their slogan the words, "Corro verso la santità. Come Nino, l'atleta di Dio" - "I'm running towards sainthood, like God's athlete, Nino."

Although five years is the minimum period that has to elapse between a person's death and the beginning of their Beatification procedure,  it usually takes longer.  ["Exceptional circumstances" were cited in the case of Pope John Paul 11.]  The formal request for the Beatification of Nino was made by Don Pascual Chavez, Rector General of the Salesians, in Noto Cathedral on Saturday.

Corriamo con Nino!

ITALY MAGAZINE ROUND-UP - 17

Here is my pick of last week's Italy Magazine articles:

I very much enjoyed talking to Dana of the Stresa Sights blog  and I learnt a lot from her about that lovely part of Italy.

If you like torrone, this festival is for you and, staying with food, I can't wait to try out Katia's recipe for chocolate fondue with chilli.

Those of you lucky enough to be travelling in the Padua area during October will have a chance to see this interesting exhibition  and, for cycling fans visiting Rome, there is the Fausto Coppi exhibition.

The saddest news story of the week was surely this and I was sorry to read on Monday that the search had been called off.   This was the week in which Italy's Tourism Minister called for the removal of an iPhone application which plays on that old joke, the Mafia - except that it is not, of course, a joke - and I can't say I blame her.  I had a great time summing up Milan Fashion Week and decided that, when I win the lottery, it will be Armani blue and Alviero Martini 1 Classe for me!  It's always reassuring to know what Italy's Supreme Court is up to and that esteemed institution did not let us down last week.

Finally, for my Patti Chiari column, I wrote about the "unofficial saint of Modica", Nino Baglieri, a man I wish I had known. Sadly, Nino is no longer with us but his spirit lives on here in his home town.

Happy reading.

DOPPIA FESTA!

Down to Modica Bassa this evening for the last part of our famous Eurochocolate festival: this celebrates pure, Modican chocolate and now attracts visitors from all over the world. I'm sure that some of my readers would think they were in heaven, as there is just stall after stall selling chocolate or chocolate products!

I must say that this event shows that the Sicilians can get themselves organised when they want to: there were shuttle buses from this district and from nearby towns and a ticket kiosk had been set up right by the stop. [There can be few visitors to Sicily or even Italy in general who have not tried to catch a bus somewhere, then discovered that the tickets have to be purchased at a location many metres away, and by the time you get one, you have , of course, missed your bus!]

The atmosphere was very jovial and it was nice to see the Corso pedestrianised [I think it should be all the time]. But I couldn't find any "chocolate statues" as I did last year, to photograph: maybe I would have had I been able to get down there earlier in the week.

However, I did find a display of sflilato - delicate, Sicilian drawn-thread embroidery- which I love and have mentioned before. I was allowed to take these photographs.

I found food items I hadn't seen before, too, in the form of these delicate "spreads " [one gel-like, one cream-like in texture] that can be used with cheese, meat and even ice cream. I was given a chart showing just which cheeses, etc., each one could be used with, so I am going to enjoy myself experimenting with them!

Things were only really getting going as I left at 7.30pm, so the Modicani will be enjoying themselves late into the night.

And today our San Giorgio has had his official outing, having been carried around the streets since 5 pm. [The second picture is of firecrackers being let off in his honour at that hour.] I felt very emotional to learn, on TV just now, that earlier his procession had stopped at the house of that most beloved of Modican citizens, Nino Baglieri. I think that shows a fine sense of propriety: the saint does homage to one of his most devoted followers. There was no sadness here, just the saint's carriers applauding and shouting "Nino" , and Nino's family seeming so happy to see them all. What a fine way to celebrate a life and a saint.

UNA MARATONINA

A charity half-marathon or marotonina [ if that's not a contradiction in terms] is to be run tomorrow in Modica in memory of Nino Baglieri, about whom I wrote following his death last year.

Paralysed in an accident at work at the age of 17, Baglieri spent 10 years cursing his fate and in self-imposed isolation, before dramatically refinding his faith on Good Friday, 1978. Thereafter, holding a pen in his mouth, he wrote thousands of letters which helped others and was the author of 2 books. He travelled throughout Italy and sometimes abroad, spreading the message of his faith and of the mercy of his God. In Modica people flocked to his bedside, not to comfort him but to be comforted by him.

As many of you know, I am not religious, but I can only admire such a wonderful man and the faith that inspired him.

His last wish was to be "dressed in a track suit and trainers so that in the last part of my journey to God, I can run to Him."

I think the Modicani have found a very appropriate way to remember this most beloved of their citizens.

FATTI DI CRONACA - 6

A death

I am ashamed to say I knew nothing about Nino Baglieri, "the saint of Modica" until this week. He must have been a wonderful and courageous man: tetraplegic since an accident at work when he was 17, Baglieri cursed God for 10 years then, one day, found acceptance. After that he inspired and gave comfort to many. Only able to move his head, he used his mouth to write books and had begun his third when he died on Friday. Over three thousand people attended his funeral and a square in Modica Alta is to be renamed for him. I admire those who are able to bear their own suffering well and help others - I really do - but I cannot accept it and I'm afraid I'm with Albert Camus on the question.

A prison sentence

Modica has a lovely and charming theatre, the Teatro Garibaldi and for years when I first used to come here I was frustrated because I could never get inside: it was always in restauro. Finally it was restored to its former glory but in 2001 the new roof fell in! Miraculously, no one was injured. Now six of those involved in that restoration project have received suspended prison sentences. I should add that the theatre is now functioning again and if you are in Modica it really is worth a visit.

A warm winter

It's official! This has been the warmest winter, all over Italy, for 200 years. Now there are fears of a summer drought, especially down here.

...And a "war"

Two villages in the Province of Palermo, Campofelice di Fitalia and Mezzojuno, have been "fighting" over the TV presenter, Mike Bongiorno. Both villages claim to be the birthplace of his ancestors. The rivalry might have continued peaceably had Bongiorno not announced at the Sanremo Music Festival that his forefathers definitely came from Mezzojuno. Imagine the bitterness of the "betrayed" residents of Campofelice di Fitalia, where the presenter has now been declared persona non grata!