On December 8th, the solemnity of t
he Blessed Virgin Mary’s Immaculate Conception, the Christian community of Piano di Sorrento celebrated sixty years of the Blessed Sacrament Congregation’s presence. On this occasion, the 10:30 a.m. Eucharist in the Blessed Sacrament community’s church was presided over by Bishop Arturo Aiello of Avellino, who until his episcopal appointment in 2006, had been parish priest of the main parish of Piano di Sorrento, dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel. The Fathers of the community concelebrated with him.
The church was packed with the faithful, who were gathered to honour both the Fathers and the presence of Bishop Arturo Aiello, who has always remained close to the hearts of the citizens. During his homily, after reflecting on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the bishop expressed his sincere gratitude to the Blessed Sacrament Fathers, emphasizing their commitment and dedication over the 60 years of their presence in our region.
In the second part of the homily Bishop Aiello recalled a string of memories and feelings he experienced both before and after his priestly ordination, starting from the frequent contact he had with the various Fathers whom he had known over the years. Thus, he recalled how, as a boy, he would travel here from the nearby town of Vico Equense for confession, always receiving words of comfort and encouragement from the religious. Moreover he praised the generosity of the Fathers who, between the late 1970s and early 1980s, made available to him, a newly ordained priest, some rooms in their house, thereby enabling him to begin a fruitful youth ministry.
He emphasized how the establishment of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament Religious in Piano di Sorrento in the mid-1960s was a momentous event, since it was a community composed of religious from Northern Italy who brought a breath of fresh air to the South and who, thanks to their Eucharistic charism, offered great spiritual enrichment and a gift for all the people. Finally, he recalled the professional and artistic commitment of Father Dante Maranta, both in the construction and furnishing of the present church and in helping local churches adapt to the new norms for sacred architecture established by the Second Vatican Council.
After the celebration of the Eucharist, light refreshments were served and there was a sharing of fellowship, during which the faithful and the Fathers had the opportunity to greet each other and thank Bishop Arturo Aiello for his much-welcomed participation in the celebrations.
edited by Gianfranco Maltese
and Luciano Fontanarosa
Notiziario n.20 – January 2026
Province Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament
