VIVA ITALIA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 566, 19 January 1929, Page 13

VIVA ITALIA

INSPIRING ADDRESS BY PADRE SALSA PRIEST AND SOLDIER The visit of the Rev. Padre Salsa, of Turin, Italy, was marked on Thursday by a large gathering of Italian residents at the Italian Club, when an inspiring address to his countrymen was given by the visiting priest. Padre Salsa, who is a distinguished scholar and a brilliant orator, also won considerable distinction during the Great War as a captain in one of the crack Italian regiments. tie was wounded seven times, including the loss of an arm, and was presented with three medals for bravery* Last evening he was presented to his fellow countrymen by Signor A. Campi, president of the Italian Club, who briefly outlined the objects of the parde’s visit. He said he had been sent to Australia and New Zealand by the Pope in a missionary capacity to talk of Italy to the people. In a former address the padre spoke concerning patriotism. Last evening he discussed religion, exhorting the people to attend to their religious obligations. Otherwise, he said, they could not sustain a proper love for their country. In an interesting and very comprehensive address he mentioned the names of many distinguished Italians, poets, writers and patriots, who had gone abroad and had been noted for their loyalty to their faith. Padre Salsa, who has been the guest of the Right Rev. Dr. Liston during lus visit, will leave by the Marama to-day for Sydney. He will be accompanied by Commendatore Blunno, the retiring Italian Consul for New Zealand, who is returning to Italy.