One day I was amusing myself at the window that gave on to the house of the Zinelli family opposite. Don Bartolo appeared on his side, and addressing me said: \u201cMaster Eugene, aren\u2019t you afraid of wasting your time in idleness in this way at the window?\u201d – \u201cAlas, sir, I replied, it is indeed a pity, but what can I do? You know I am a foreigner, and I haven\u2019t any books at my disposition.\u201d That was the opening he wanted: \u201cThat\u2019s no problem, my dear child, you see me here actually in my library, where there are many books in Latin, Italian, French even, if you want them.\u201d<\/strong><\/h5>\n\u201cThere is nothing I would like better\u201d, I answered. Immediately D. Bartolo undid the bar that held the shutters of the window, and placing on it a book, passed it over to me across the little street that separated us. The book was soon read, for I was always an avid reader, and next day my father advised me to go and take it back and thank D. Bartolo. This was all planned.Bartolo received me with the greatest kindness; he gave me the run of his library, and from there I had access to the study where he studied around a large table with his brother, D. Pietro, who was still only a deacon. \u201cAll our books are at your disposition\u201d, D. Bartolo told me. Then he added: \u201cThis is where my brother and I study: you see over there the place that was occupied by one of my brothers whom God in his goodness has called to himself. If you would like to take his place, you have only to say the word, it will be a real pleasure for us to have you continue with your studies, which clearly you have not yet finished.\u201d You can imagine my surprise and joy. \u201cI shall be overjoyed, sir, and my father will happily give his consent.\u201d – \u201cVery well, come from tomorrow, and we will make a beginning.\u201d \u2026 From this time on, every day over a period of four years, I went after Mass to be with these most benevolent teachers<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\nDiary of the Exile in Italy, EO XVI<\/em><\/p>\nFather Bartolo was to be one of the most important formators in Eugene\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nAs we look at Eugene, it is not with the eye of a storyteller, but with the question of how God worked through the events and people in his life \u2013 and to allow ourselves to be questioned by this in our own lives. For me the invitation is to recall some of the significant moments with people who made a difference in my early life \u2013 and to reflect on how God acted through them for me, and to give thanks.<\/p>\n
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\u201cJust as the child is father to the man, so the impressions of one’s youth remain the most vivid in manhood.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Gustav Stresemann<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Wordsworth\u2019s expression that \u201cthe child is father of the man\u201d is the guiding principle of this section of our study of Mazenodian spirituality. In order to understand the spirituality that has come to us through Saint Eugene, it is necessary … Continue reading
Diary of the Exile in Italy, EO XVI<\/em><\/p>\n Father Bartolo was to be one of the most important formators in Eugene\u2019s life.<\/p>\n As we look at Eugene, it is not with the eye of a storyteller, but with the question of how God worked through the events and people in his life \u2013 and to allow ourselves to be questioned by this in our own lives. For me the invitation is to recall some of the significant moments with people who made a difference in my early life \u2013 and to reflect on how God acted through them for me, and to give thanks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust as the child is father to the man, so the impressions of one’s youth remain the most vivid in manhood.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Gustav Stresemann<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Wordsworth\u2019s expression that \u201cthe child is father of the man\u201d is the guiding principle of this section of our study of Mazenodian spirituality. In order to understand the spirituality that has come to us through Saint Eugene, it is necessary … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n