A significant number of military personnel, around 400, took part yesterday in the Jubilee of the armed forces present in La Maddalena and Palau . Having gathered in Piazza Umberto I, they set off in a parade to the sound of the San Domenico Savio band, walking along Via and Piazza Garibaldi to reach the church of Santa Maria Maddalena. A solemn function was celebrated here, officiated by the parish priest of La Maddalena, who is also a military chaplain , Don Umberto Deriu, and concelebrated with the military chaplains Don Gianmario Piga, Don Walter Cabula and Don Marius Minut.
Present were members of the Navy, Coast Guard, Army, Carabinieri, Guardia di Finanza, Police, Forestry Corps and Fire Brigade.
Quoting the words of Pope Francis on the occasion of the jubilee of the armed forces held in Rome, Don Umberto Deriu, addressed the military present and said: «Be courageous witnesses of the love of God the Father, who wants us all to be brothers», urging them to be vigilant against «the temptation to cultivate a spirit of war» and not to give in to the «propaganda of hatred». And, quoting the words of the Pope again, he said: «You are called to defend our countries, to safeguard justice, to be present in prisons and to fight crime». After the Mass, the commander of the MM Non-Commissioned Officers School and of the Presidio, Francesco Maffiola, and then the mayor of La Maddalena, Fabio Lai, spoke.
The Mass was animated by the Santa Cecilia choir.
