Introduction In the early sixties, almost all seminars, especially in southern Italy, teeming with boys who were studying to become priests.
few were "called by the Lord and with commitment and dedication, they reached the sublime goal of the priesthood, then, with love and ability and with joy in your heart, carried out their mission in the various parishes, or in any other office, for the care of souls and the glory of the Lord.
Many, however, entered the seminary for several reasons, which were most often be traced to situations of serious economic and environmental impacts, the lack of opportunity to continue their studies, the desire to Twice a better position in society and lead a life more dignitosa.
Alcuni di questi riuscivano a diventare preti e miglioravano le loro condizioni di vita, ma non consideravano la loro opera una missione; di conseguenza, se erano persone corrette, svolgevano il mestiere anche abbastanza bene o comunque “sanza infamia e sanza lodo”; in caso contrario, contribuivano ad allontanare i fedeli dalla grazia di Dio.
Gli altri, più correttamente, quando col maturar degli anni capivano di non essere fatti per diventare sacerdoti del Signore, abbandonavano il seminario ed andavano per la loro strada.
Le “vocazioni”, specie quelle facili, involontarie od opportune, si verificavano per ovvi motivi soprattutto nei paesi di montagna, quelli più distanti dai grossi centri e anche più poveri e disagiati.
Damnic andò in seminario perché l’aveva promesso a suo padre, che era morto pochi mesi prima, e anche perché qualcuno si adoperò per farcelo entrare a spese dell’Enaoli, l’ente pubblico che assisteva gli orfani.
Il libro riassume gli otto anni della sua vita di seminario, dalla prima media alla maturità classica, e si concentra soprattutto sugli avvenimenti degli ultimi mesi, quelli decisivi.
Per un motivo o per un altro, si trovò a girovagare per vari seminari. Frequentò i tre anni delle medie, i più difficili, a Piedimonte D’Alife, i due the gymnasium at Cerreto Sannita and three high school in three different workshops: the first to Benevento, the city of witches, the second in Aversa, the city of lunatics, and the third at Caserta, the city palace.
His behavior was quite unusual. He tried to combine traditional duties with his personal beliefs, but there can be a way to do that very poorly, especially during his time with the current concept of the seminarian.
only entered the seminary to study at some point became convinced - at least so it seemed - that he should be a priest, but had a soft spot for girls. This was his basic dilemma. And around this dilemma there is the plot of the period that led him to a decision, perhaps illogical, not fully evaluated, perhaps unintended, of course sought, if not determined, even from avoidable contingency.
Often in life, it is the occasional moments to determine the fundamental choices, those who do not give possibility of return. We should, in those moments, take your time, not being influenced by anyone, explore the remotest depths of the soul, hold off the resentments instinctive, calmly and seriously consider the reasons and consequences and decide, then, to the maximum awareness.
At the crucial moment Damnica all that he did not. It could not assess whether this was a true "call" unrequited or simply an opportunity for growth and training, for which he still felt - and still feel - grateful and obliged.
Undoubtedly that time has left an indelible imprint on his life.
The author
