The Bishop of the Gospel, the Bishop of the Eucharist… the Bishop of the young people

We, the young people of "Movimento Impegno e Testimonianza - Madre dell'Eucaristia", on the occasion of 38th anniversary of the sacerdotal ordination of the Bishop Mons. Claudio Gatti, presented him with a little gift as fruits of the love and bond that unite us with our spiritual father.

In the Gospel of Luke is written: "For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit" (Lk 6, 43-44). Thank you, bishop ordained by God, for you have taken us to the tree of love that is Jesus the Eucharist and thank you because you let us know and love the root of this tree that is the Mother of the Eucharist. Its powerful branches have sheltered us against the difficulties of life. On our path marvellous fruits have blossomed because you, ours beloved priest, brought us on the road of the Eucharist where we met Mary, Mother of the Eucharist who led us by the hand towards the life of grace. Where there is dismay you give us hope, where there is sadness you give us smile, where there is error you give us help and certain guide; where we are so you are too; in the moment when our flight towards Christ becomes more tiring, you, our beloved bishop, are there to push us forth and with the strength of your immense love, we recover our flight together with you wing to wing.
We stare at your eyes and we see them as pure as diamonds, we listen to your words and our path is brightened, we follow your unfailing footsteps and we find no hindrance, we are near you and we see love tokens. You tell us about Christ, pointing him out as Master, saying that he is the one we have to follow. A Master of love, the grace of God has given this us.
You allowed yourself to be moulded by God, as clay in his hands, abandoning yourself entirely to Him, to your All so that in every word and gesture of yours shines the face of Jesus, sweet Master who operates through you.
In the human weakness and misery are hidden the greatness and omnipotence of God, in the clean eyes of a simple and humble bishop is hidden the endless love of God; thank you Don Claudio because through your example we understood what love is and what does it mean to be true christians, thank you for the new life you gave us.
Thank you for your help in starting christian families whose foundations stand on the Eucharistic love, sincerity, simplicity and generosity. Your teachings will always be present as mementos to hand on from father to son.
Thanks to you we now understand that in the Eucharistic bread is present Jesus true man, who lets himself go in the hands of the priest thus becoming "prisoner" of humanity just as he let himself deliver to the people of Israel to be crucified, and true God, a source of grace, strength and love, as result of his resurrection. This is the mystery that is fulfilled and is renewed in every Eucharistic celebration, centrality and peak of the true evangelisation of the Church, and whose knowledge and acceptance by man are at the heart of the mission that God entrusted you with. Your mission will be beam of light that will enlighten and guide the new Church in the authentic spirit of Christ.
Greetings to you too Marisa. You bring to completion, as victim, the priesthood of the bishop and you sacrifice yourself for the conversion of souls.

With love, your young people