In the foothills of the Alps lies the beautiful northern Italian town of Bergamo. One of its claims to fame is that Ryanair flies in there utilising it as a gateway to Milan. The upper part of the town is a medieval gem featuring the fifteenth century red brick basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Go just a few miles down the road and you encounter the less imposing but equally charming town of Sotto il Monte which is the birthplace of Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli better known to us as Pope John XXIII.
This small mountain town radiates the spirit of that good man and it is as if the inhabitants expect his return at any moment. John was a bringer of peace in the world, which lived in the shadow of the cold war. He was also a great pastor who made a landmark visit to Rome's central prison and slipped out from the Vatican at night, dressed as an ordinary priest, to visit the poor and the sick. In fact his night time walks became so famous that he was nicknames "Johnny Walker". Pope John showed a rare gift for preserving what was best from the past and combining it with optimistic confidence in the future. he gave people hope.
This wonderful spirit, which touched the hearts of so many people, is summed up beautifully in his last will and testament where he writes:
"My dear children love each other. Search more for that which unites than that which divides. In the hour of farewell, or better still, of see you soon, I want to remind everyone of that which is worth more in life - Blessed Jesus Christ, his Gospel, his holy Church, truth and kindness. I remember everyone and for everyone I will pray. See you soon".
Fr Peter O'Reilly (Newsletter Editorial 16th October 2011)
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