Celebrating this event with "his" community in Modolo was a truly exceptional and moving milestone for 97-year-old Don Giuseppe Porcu . He celebrated the seventieth anniversary of his ordination, which took place way back in 1956 in Sedilo. In the parish of Sant'Andrea Apostolo, the priest was surrounded by the affection of relatives, friends, faithful, and administrators who did not want to miss such a special anniversary. Many priests were present, led by the parish priest Don Andrea Manca, who concelebrated the Holy Mass presided over by Don Giuseppe himself.
"It was a very well-attended and meaningful moment," explains parish priest Don Andrea, "and the presence of so many people confirms how much he is loved and esteemed by everyone." He also received good wishes from the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, via the parchment he received from the Vatican City. In his opening address and in the homily read by another priest, Don Porcu especially recalled the early years of his ministry.
"Those were times of great poverty," he said, "but the communities were dignified. Things were very different from what they are today, yet there was a strength, a closeness among the people that I will never forget." Also present were several mayors from Modolo, Tinnura, and Sagama, the latter two municipalities where the priest spent the longest part of his pastoral mission, from 1977 to 2014, leaving a profound mark both on the parishes and on social life. In his speech, Don Porcu also recalled many other chapters of his long priestly ministry in Sedilo, Santulussurgiù, Zuri, and Soddì . For these small towns in the Guicier area, located near Lake Omodeo, Don Porcu emphasized his participation in the battle for their autonomy.
"Together with the people," he said, "we shared a struggle so they could obtain administrative autonomy. For Soddì, the goal was ultimately achieved. For Zuri, it wasn't, but the battle was still important in giving those communities a voice." Alongside his pastoral commitment, Don Porcu's passion for the land has always been a hallmark. He is a true "farmer priest." Together with his two brothers (the business is now managed by his nephew Carlo), he has restored and transformed vineyards of Malvasia, an ancient and distinctive variety of Planargia. With them, he created the Porcu brothers winery to produce that exquisite wine, preserve a tradition, value their work, and stay close to the people even outside the church.
Within the vineyards, he also built a church dedicated to Saint Isidoro . Pruning, harvesting, and making wine: for Don Porcu, these are gestures that speak the same language as pastoral care. Over the years, that Malvasia has become a symbol of a ministry that unites altar and fields, prayer and toil. The celebration was a moment of collective remembrance, with songs and testimonies; the Modolo community returned to Don Giuseppe the affection of 70 years. Because his long life also tells the story of entire villages: the hardships of the post-war period, the dignity of work, the value of staying put. At just under a century old, Don Giuseppe Porcu thus received the most beautiful recognition, that of a community that still feels he is theirs. A priest who taught that one can serve at the altar and among the vines, and that faith, to be true as the Gospel teaches, must also be made of land, wine, and a daily presence.
