20 Facts About Zeno Saltini

Zeno Saltini was an Italian Roman Catholic priest and the founder of the Nomadelfia movement.

Zeno Saltini had set up a war orphans refuge at the old Fossoli di Carpi concentration camp in the Emilia-Romagna region but this was closed in 1952 after ecclesial authorities ordered his departure and the camp's closure.

Zeno Saltini was born in Fossoli in 1900 as the ninth of twelve children to the rich landowners Cesare Saltini and Filomena Rigi.

Zeno Saltini therefore started to work on his parents' land and soon became acquainted with the miseries and the aspirations of fellow farmworkers and landowners.

Zeno Saltini later was conscripted into the national service in 1917 during World War I and was posted in Florence.

Zeno Saltini attempted to sustain the complete opposite but realized his educated opponent had the support of most of the gathered soldiers so decided to retreat from the debate before it worsened.

Zeno Saltini reflected upon this encounter and declared: "I want to be neither a servant nor a master" in the aim that he would change civilization beginning with himself.

Zeno Saltini ended up in Verona at some stage alongside the priest Saint Giovanni Calabria whom he befriended while he got to know the Bishop of Carpi Giovanni Pranzini.

Zeno Saltini completed his degree in 1929 and set himself on new work in which he aimed to aid those people who were unable to afford adequate legal services.

Zeno Saltini therefore decided to become a priest in 1930.

Zeno Saltini returned to his alma mater where he underwent theological studies; both Calabria and Pranzini encouraged Zeno Saltini in his vocation and aspirations.

Zeno Saltini received his ordination to the priesthood on 4 January 1931 in the Carpi Cathedral from Bishop Pranzini.

Zeno Saltini swore that he would never open a college.

Zeno Saltini conferred with and received approval from his bishop which allowed for Saltini to entrust the children to her care.

Zeno Saltini was a staunch anti-Fascist who opposed their racial laws in the lead up to and during World War II.

Zeno Saltini found a kindred spirit in the new Bishop of Carpi Vigilio Federico Dalla Zuanna who was supportive of Zeno Saltini's work.

Zeno Saltini travelled first through Fossacesia in Chieti and then through Rome and then through to Campania.

On 5 February 1952 the Holy Office under the leadership of Cardinal Giuseppe Pizzardo - through the apostolic nuncio Francesco Borgongini Duca - ordered Zeno Saltini to leave Fossoli di Carpi and he did so in obedience with the camp being dissolved.

On 1 April 1962, Bishop of Grosseto Paolo Galeazzi established the parish of the Assumption of St Mary in Nomadelfia, and Zeno Saltini was appointed as its parish priest.

Zeno Saltini died in 1981 in Grosseto due to a heart attack and his remains are buried at the Chiesa Comunitaria di Nomadelfia.