The Catholic Church in Italy is mourning the loss of one of its young priests. In Cannobio, the Diocese of Novara announced the tragic death of Father Matteo Balzano, age 35, whose death was confirmed a suicide by church authorities. He was found dead in his residence, located next to the oratory of the Saint Vittore parish, after failing to attend the morning Mass on Saturday, July 5.
Matteo Balzano, an aeronautical engineer by training, was ordained a priest in 2017 following his seminary training beginning in 2010. He was a beloved priest remembered for his dedication to young people and his devotion to organization of community activities, especially a summer camp (“Grest”) that he helped run.
The Diocese of Novara, in an official statement, wrote:
On Monday, July 7th at 8:30 pm, the prayer vigil will be held at the collegiate church of San Vittore in Cannobio . On Tuesday, July 8th at 10:30 am , again in the collegiate church, Bishop Franco Giulio Brambilla will preside over the funeral.
According to the Italian News site Secoloditalia a parishioner, named Maria Grazia, wrote:
"Yes, you were so reserved, kind, full of love. But I remember the last discussion regarding a death that had struck our parish, an extreme gesture. And you told me: 'Nobody knows the hell that someone has inside to reach an extreme gesture .' These words of yours hammered me. You must not judge and I will do this, but I hold you tight as I did when you rested your head on my shoulder. I hope, Don Matteo, I hope you have found peace in the arms of God who you loved so much. I love you, remember it and protect us from up there."
After the celebration, the body will be taken to Grignasco where, at 3 pm in the church of the Grignasco Cemetery , the funeral Mass will be celebrated , before the burial.
Don Matteo, originally from the parish of Grignasco, was born on January 3, 1990 in Borgomanero and was ordained a priest on June 10, 2017 by Monsignor Franco Giulio Brambilla, Bishop of Novara. His priestly ministry was lived, from 2017 to the first months of 2023, as parish vicar in the Community of Castelletto sopra Ticino. After a period spent at the Sanctuary of Re, he enthusiastically resumed his mission among the young people of the oratory of the parish of Cannobio, also offering his service for the Cannobina Valley. This morning his lifeless body was found in the home of the Oratory, after Don Matteo had taken his own life.
On Monday, July 7th at 8:30 p.m., the prayer vigil will be held at the collegiate church of San Vittore in Cannobio. On Tuesday, July 8th at 10:30 a.m., again in the collegiate church, Bishop Franco Giulio Brambilla will preside over the funeral.
The body will then be buried in the Grignasco cemetery.
Don Franco Giudice
Episcopal Vicar for the Clergy and Consecrated Life
https://www.diocesinovara.it/addio-a-don-matteo-balzano/
Don Matteo, originally from the parish of Grignasco, was born on January 3, 1990 in Borgomanero and was ordained a priest on June 10, 2017 by Monsignor Franco Giulio Brambilla, Bishop of Novara. His priestly ministry was lived, from 2017 to the first months of 2023, as parish vicar in the Community of Castelletto sopra Ticino. After a period spent at the Sanctuary of Re, he enthusiastically resumed his mission among the young people of the oratory of the parish of Cannobio, also offering his service for the Cannobina Valley. This morning his lifeless body was found in the home of the Oratory, after Don Matteo had taken his own life.
Only the Lord, He who "scrutinises and knows" each of us, knows how to understand the most impenetrable mysteries of the human soul. We raise to the God of mercy a prayer for Don Matteo, our brother in the priesthood, expressing human closeness, in this dramatic moment, to his family and to the entire parish community of Cannobio.
The body will then be buried in the Grignasco cemetery.
Don Franco Giudice
Episcopal Vicar for the Clergy and Consecrated Life
https://www.diocesinovara.it/addio-a-don-matteo-balzano/
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