Don Milani, Mattarella: "Teaching always relevant. The difference between those who aim high and those who aim low"

"Thank you for the work you have done and for the result. In about a month it is the anniversary of Don Lorenzo Milani's birth. It is engaging and unforgettable to see where and how he exercised this exhortation to study. To have translated it into a collection of reflections, of his indications, is truly a valuable contribution at this moment in history. It is true: school, peace, war... even inside schools, in so many parts of the world, war with weapons, violence with weapons is brought". Thus the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, who received at the Quirinale a delegation from the Don Milani Centenary National Committee led by President Rosy Bindi.

During the meeting, the work 'Don Milani', a publication retracing the life of Don Milani, published by Scintille Editore, was presented. 'You have quoted Pope Francis several times,' added Mattarella addressing Bindi, 'who has constantly spoken out against the culture of waste. And the waste of people, the waste of skills, of human talents, of lives. It is what actually moved Don Lorenzo Milani in pushing children to study, to master the language, in making them understand that therein lies what makes the development of each one possible'.

Un 'immagine di archivio di Don Lorenzo Milani del 21 aprile del 2005 . (ANSA/Archivio/Coc)

Don Milani 'said that the difference is not between those at the top and those at the bottom, but between those who aim high and those who aim low. In this historical period, this is perhaps a particularly timely reminder. The difference is not between those who feel at the top, in connection with power, influence and those who feel at the bottom without this possibility, but between those who aim high and those who aim low. That is the real difference. And this is a teaching that Don Milani launched not only to young people, not only to the young people of his time, of that time, but for everyone today. For this reason,' Mattarella concluded, 'we are grateful to him for the teaching he sowed, and to present these volumes, to make his reflections known, is a contribution at this very demanding time, truly precious. Thank you for doing this'.