By Sheila Kun, Salesian Cooperator
“When you are a Salesian Cooperator, you have friends all over the world.” I received this quote from my fellow Italian Cooperator, Enrico Sacchi of Torino. My first visit of Colle Don Bosco was 17 years ago; I was escorted by the Cooperators to see Valdocco and Colle Don Bosco. Enrico and his wife welcomed me to their home with a homemade Italian dinner. This time, our reunion proved to be another warm gathering with Mauro and Marcella whom I also met in 2007. Annalisa Sacchi prepared the same eight-course dinner to welcome our return to Torino.
It is heartwarming to know the Italian Cooperators and their ministries. Enrico made a special arrangement for us to visit the birthplace of Dominic Savio in Riva, Chieri, which is run by the local Cooperators. The beautiful garden with a special devotion to the Blessed Mother was charming. And the bedroom was loaded with appreciation gifts mounted on the wall from all over. Little did we know that Dominic Savio is the patron saint of pregnant women.
I was gifted a L’Abitino, a scapular that a mother-to-be can wear to receive special attention for the well-being of mom and baby.
Within a few miles was the home where Dominic Savio grew up in Murialdo. The most striking feature of this home was the four resolutions of Dominic Savio when he received his Confirmation at the age of seven. His remarkable thoughts of how to grow his faith were spelled out: frequent Confession and Communion, his devotion to his faith – friends with Jesus and Mary, and death, but not sin.
This visit to Dominic Savio’s home was sanctifying; I was reminded by his fervent desire to be holy and become a saint. The response and guidance from his mentor, Don Bosco, became one of the principles that I operate on — “Doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way.”
A big shout out to the Torino Cooperators, who keep these homes in operation, and to Enrico and his family’s overwhelming hospitality. My heart is filled with joy when I reminisce about this amazing visit to Dominic Savio’s home.