WHEN the faithful of Stanthorpe parish, in Toowoomba diocese, gathered to honour God through their expression of devotion to the three Italian brotherly saints – Alfio, Filadelfo and Cirino – on the first Sunday in May, there were many tangible moments to celebrate the day’s resumption.
Unable to be celebrated during the two years prior, due to the pandemic, Stanthorpe parish priest Fr Gonzalo Garcia Duran led the Mass in English and Italian, literally and figuratively holding in his hands, the faithful devotion of those present.
Among those present were various generations of locals and two busloads of worshippers from Brisbane, and as Fr Duran led the Mass, rosary procession and a time of appreciation of the relic of St Filadelfo, the faithful remembered Leonarda and Alfio Lofaro who’d been instrumental in the presence of the relic and brotherly statues since 2000.
“It was not difficult for me to feel attached to this expression of faith of the Three Saints as we have similar ways to express our faith in my own country of Mexico,” the first-time celebrant of the Mass told The Catholic Leader.
“The way that we express our relationship with God and other traditions flowing from it, represents something important that can appear strange to others but for me, it was not.”
Fr Duran had attended meetings in the months prior in dialogue with the Three Saints Stanthorpe Committee, ensuring he not only appreciated what he was about to celebrate but also how he could best contribute.
Committee President Tony Minuti praised the new-to-Stanthorpe pastor “for being supportive and encouraging” of all they hold dear, as they had also experienced with former parish priest Fr Brian Connolly.
Fr Duran said that carrying the relic of St Filadelfo brought a closeness to the community and even his family in Mexico.
“Holding the relic of a martyr, of someone that died as a witness of what I embrace and believe, reminded me of how important is for us to be witnesses to others of God’s mercy and compassion,” he said. “During those moments I thought about my family and my country and prayed for their safety and health. It was a great time of peace as I was able to pray for my new community too, my new family at St Joseph’s parish.”
Three Saints Committee Secretary Nita Gasparin explained the story of the saints, sharing too of the love her parents had for God and their firm belief in the brothers’ saintly intercession.
While Alfio Lofaro died the year before the statues arrived in Stanthorpe, it was Mrs Gasparin’s brother, Fil, who accompanied their mother to make arrangements for the statues and the relic to arrive in Australia.
“When Mum and Fil went to take delivery of the statues in Sicily, they approached the Archbishop of Catania about securing a relic to return to Australia,” she said.
“After much correspondence with Church authorities, our Australian archbishop and Toowoomba’s Bishop Kelly, Mum and Fil were sent to San (Saint) Fratello where the relics are stored.
“The relic holder was purchased by Mum and the Brothers of San Fratello placed the relic of San Filadelfo in the silver relic holder that we have in Stanthorpe. It was sealed with a letter of authenticity enclosed.”
Mrs Gasparin said while there was extensive paperwork and some challenges, the statues and relic arrived safely.
“By the grace of God, they all returned by plane with the statues in three cargo boxes and the relic travelled on board the plane in a special holder,” she said.
“At the time, Fil was farming, and time was very precious, leaving his family and workers to run the farm. He persisted to realise our parents’ promise of presenting these statues and relic in gratitude that my brother Tony was restored to good health after suffering an attack of myocarditis which almost claimed his life.”
Last month’s celebration of the Three Saints expressed togetherness through prayer and a celebratory afternoon and evening of companionship and dancing, more tangible signs of appreciation for the restoration of the first Sunday of May events.
Already for next year’s celebrations, the Stanthorpe Three Saints Committee and their extended group of helpers are planning how it will best befit and express faith in God, honouring too the memory of Mr and Mrs Lofaro, both deceased.
Saints Alfio, Filadelfo and Cirino were tortured in Messina, Sicily, marched through several townships to Trecastagni and martyred in nearby Lentini in 253AD.
