On Monday, December 16, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., the Municipality of Padua and the “Padova e il suo territorio” Association [Padua and Its Territory] conducted a ceremony to confer the Seal of the City of Padua Award upon some deserving figures in Padua’s cultural scene. The ceremony took place at the Livio Paladin Hall of the Palazzo Moroni in Padua.
One of the award winners was Friar Luciano BERTAZZO, OFM Conv. Friar Luciano was born in Padua in 1952. After graduating from the local Tito Livio Classical High School, he attended the Faculty of Letters and graduated with honors for his thesis on the reconstruction of the Archives of the Chiesa dei Servi [Church of the Servants] in Padua.
He joined the Order of Friars Minor Conventual and obtained a bachelor’s degree in theology in 1979, in Rome, followed by a doctorate in church history from the Gregorian University. Since 1981, he has been a professor at the Sant’Antonio, Dottore Theological Institute in Padua.
In 1985, he became the director of the Antonian Studies Center at the Basilica of St. Anthony, where he worked to establish strong collaborative ties with universities and local institutions while promoting the revitalization of the “Antoniano Museum.”
From 1999 to 2005, he also served as the director of “Messeggero di S. Antonio.” In 2004, he received the “Colomba d’oro” award at the Campidoglio in Rome for his journalistic efforts advocating for peace.
Since 1993, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of the “Italian Society for Franciscan Studies,” where he serves as Vice President. As a professor and Dean at the Sant’Antonio, Dottore Theological Institute, he facilitated the opening of the Sant’Antonio, Dottore Provincial Library, a state-of-the-art facility housing 170,000 volumes available to both the city and students.
The Seal of the City of Padua Award was also conferred upon Elda MARTELLOZZO FORIN, Donato NITTI, Gabriella PICCOLO CASIRAGHI and Gianpaolo ROMANATO.
Heartfelt congratulations to Friar Luciano for this important recognition and for his unwavering service and commitment over the years in promoting Franciscan culture and history!
From: www.francescaninorditalia.net
