Benvenuto! If you’re just tuning in, my name is Chiara, I’m the dreamer, founder and builder of Vera Italia - a platform designed to connect you and Italians with the purpose of saving traditions and encouraging locals to maintain the precious culture that has been passed down from generations — one experience at a time.
Let’s continue the journey to search for the people I like to call ‘Culture Creators’, local Italians featured on Vera Italia who with humility, love and a lot of passion create the Italian culture that we know and love.
Meet Don Giacomo - the local parish priest. One of the peculiarities I’ve found in Italy is that instead of referring to a priest as ‘Father’ they refer to them as ‘Don’. This stems from centuries of tradition where the title ‘Don’ or in Latin ‘Dominus’ was used for nobles in Medieval times as a title of respect.
You may remember me mentioning my Sunday church downloads? The moments when I found myself perplexed by a question or searching for inspiration and in the middle of mass, I’d be furiously scribbling down notes on a piece of paper with the answers
Behind each of these church downloads there was a very inspiring figure and integral part of the local community, Don Giacomo.
My favourite thing that Don Giacomo has ever said is that the church is open to everyone, it’s a place to step away from the noise, the hustle and bustle, the franticness of life; to take a moment of peace, of silence or prayerful reflection.
Don Giacomo poses an invitation for visitors travelling to Scalea to take a moment to not only enjoy the historical beauties found in the original church that dates back to the year 1000, but to enter for a moment of silence, remembering the sacredness of the space.
When I began this journey, I decided to study Italian for one month in Bologna. After travelling 30 hours from Australia to Italy on my first ever solo-trip, I remember waking up the very first morning eager to explore.
As I walked down the street, I stumbled across a church that was somewhat hidden amongst the characteristic archways of Bologna. Something prompted me to walk into the church that day and I remember that although I was super excited to begin this huge big adventure, I found myself also a little scared, uncertain of what was to come and very much alone. It was inspiring but at the same time very much foreign.
Unbeknown to me, this would then become a theme that would carry me through this whole journey! From the moment I found a safe refuge in that cool, quiet and soothing church in Bologna, to the infamous ‘just try’ message in the garden before giving this all a go and finally to the ‘church downloads’ as Don Giacomo delivered mass.
It wasn’t until I entered this dimly lit, cool and refreshing oasis of the Church in Bologna, that all of a sudden I realised I wasn’t alone, that there was something greater that was guiding my path. That no matter where I found myself, there was always a church I could enter, simply to sit down after exploring kilometres on foot. A place that was refreshing and peaceful. A place where I could gather my thoughts.
My first impression of Don Giacomo was that he was a very quiet and kind soul. After digging a little deeper and exchanging a few words here and there, you realise that although he manages a huge parish with lots of people, he is always incredibly considerate, thoughtful and generous with every person he meets.
He truly embodies classic gentleness - welcoming you without prejudice. An invitation to come as you are, enter and be welcomed. In his video on Vera Italia, he reminds us that when we enter a church, we should reflect on what it represents, feel the peace and say a little prayer for our intentions.
When we approached Don Giacomo to be part of Vera Italia, he offered the most warm and gentle smile as if to say, thank you! Thank you for considering me in this project but most importantly, what he represents through the church.
Every experience with Don Giacomo is free of charge because believing, praying, hoping and wishing is all free. In a world where everything seems to have a price, it’s nice to receive a little gift every now and then! A place of refuge, calm and a space to offer a prayer for your cares and worries.
