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Father Oscar Pezzarini, the General Commissioner of the Work of Don Orione made the announcement

Father Oscar Pezzarini

First Don Orione shrine in the World

The main church of the Cottolengo, where Don Orione's heart rests, will be declared his shrine by the bishop of Lomas de Zamora next March 28 at 7 p.m. This Wednesday, March 12, is the feast of Don Orione who died 63 years ago. "He lived in Argentina from 1934 to 1937 and started many works", recalled Father Oscar.

Buenos Aires, Sunday, March 9, 2003.- "The main church of the Cottolengo where his heart is deposited will be declared the World's first shrine dedicated to Don Orione by Monsignor Agustín Radrizzani on March 28 at 7 p.m." announced Fr. Oscar Pezzarini, the General Commissioner of the Work of Don Orione in the main note of "La Manga", Fr. Julio Grassi's radio program (Radio Rivadavia -AM 630 kHz- Sundays from 2 to 5 a.m.).

Next Wednesday, March 12 will mark the 63rd anniversary of his death. "This is also Don Orione's liturgic feast", remarked Fr. Oscar who commented several aspects of the life of the Italian priest who founded many charity and assistance works for different kinds of persons in need.

"Don Orione has been in Argentina for several months in the year 1921. Many years later he settled into our country from 1934 to 1937 and began many works, among which are the "Little Cottolengos", the one in Claypole being the first and the largest in our country."

"He used all and every means in his reach to convey his vision of the Gospel. One of his sayings is "Only charity will save the World".

"We have to march ahead of our time", advised Don Orione. About this quote Fr. Pezzarini remarked that "Luis Orione invited us to put whatever is in our reach to help people in need, starting with technology breakthroughs and the media."

"Don Orione lived charity very deeply and also spread the concepts of charity through the radio. In one of his radio appearances in 1936 he said "Charity is Christ's characteristic rule since He said 'By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.' There is nothing more valuable to the Lord than charity of one to the other. Charity is patient, dear, and strong, humble, illuminated and prudent. Charity feels sorrow for other people's defects (...) We are apostles of charity and of pure, noble, universal love. Let's put charity to reign with gentleness of heart."

Fr. Pezzarini read some words about the Little Cottolengo of Claypole also broadcast by Luis Orione. "Above the Cottolengo's door you read these words: The Charity of Christ Urges Us. All the history of the redeemed Mankind and of the Church is summarized by these words of Saint Paul. Thus, the Little Cottolengo will be open to the most needy and forsaken poor, particularly those who cannot be welcome by another institution of charity. It will welcome those of any age, any race, of any creed. At the Cottolengo's door no one will ask the poor who they are nor which is they homeland or religion, but only if they have a grief".

"Don Orione always sustained that Argentina was his second mother country because here he found solidary hearts", Fr. Oscar said. "Argentine friends and brothers: The Little Cottolengo is a humble flower of charity. I invite you to visit it (...) I am sure you will be moved. You will see for yourselves that if Argentina is a big-hearted nation the Little Cottolengo is one of the diamonds in its crown (...) Buenos Aires may have its city of entertainment and of study. May the Argentine Cottolengo some day be the city of charity which in Christ and for the sake of the immortal honor of the homeland makes the words of sublime Dante come true which say that charity closes no door."

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