Trieste, Italy. The Claretian community of Trieste is preparing to celebrate the centenary of its presence in this city. With its first two missionaries, the Congregation was established on February 20, 1912, when this territory was under the domination of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and at the same time experiencing a strong demographic and economic expansion.
This foundation was a response to the desire of establishing a house in the territory of Central Europe which at the same time was experiencing a favorable time of vocational growth. In this way the Superior General was able to offer a welcome to the young vocations who spoke German.
From these days our missionaries developed a rich apostolic work in fidelity to the apostolic spirit of St. Anthony Mary Claret based on the missionary service of the Word.
The centenary will be remembered through a series of exhibits and liturgical celebrations which begin on February 20th with the participation of the local bishop, Mons. Giampaolo Crepaldi, and the Major Superior of the Delegation of Italy, Fr. Franco Incampo, CMF. On that occasion, the book “Clarettiani a Trieste. Cento anni di missione 1912-2012 ” will be presented, and will inaugurate the “Centenary Show “, a historical-graphical exhibition which will be mounted in the parish hall.
In the words of the current pastor, Father Renato Caprioli, CMF, the aim of these celebrations is to “show the community and the City, how the Claretian missionaries from here have served the Gospel, and to generate a new impetus to better meet the challenges of the mission today.”
For the celebrations a “logo” was also designed consisting of the letter “T”, which is highlighted and very elongated, linking the name of Claret with the letters “ts” of Trieste. This is to signify the bond between the Claretians and the city, united in a common history as a physical sign of the parish church dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. All of this framed by the slogan “Sent to evangelize the poor” (Lk 4.18), with a deep Claretian resonance.
