Visitationes ad Limina Apostolorum dei Vescovi di Comacchio (Secoli XVI-XX)

Presentation of the volume edited by Professor Aniello Zamboni Dr. Valter Zago and Dr. Diego Cavallina will discuss the topic with the audience. Introduction by Archbishop Gian Carlo Perego Philological rigor and lively historical material blend seamlessly in this impressive volume edited by Professor Aniello Zamboni, enriched by an introduction by Archbishop Gian Carlo Perego. Dedicated to the Visitationes ad Limina Apostolorum—the canonical obligation imposed on bishops to periodically travel to Rome to venerate the tombs of the Apostles and present a detailed report to the Pope on the state of their diocese—the text restores the integrity of seventy-five reports sent by Comacchio bishops from 1588 to 1946. Translated for the first time from Latin into Italian and accompanied by a complete transcription of the original manuscript, these reports reveal the authentic and unfiltered face of a proud community living in an atypical territory, perpetually poised between the waters of the valleys and the Adriatic Sea. From the pages emerge not only religious events, but also the dramatic conditions of a people struggling against isolation: from the pastors' complaints about the arrogance of the valley contractors, to the concerns over extreme poverty and the plight of poor girls, to the grandiose efforts to build the great structure of the new Cathedral. Aniello Zamboni, born in Comacchio in 1939, lives in the lagoon city, the heart of his studies. A former professor of literature, he has held community service positions such as Councilor for Cultural Institutions and Director of the Archdiocesan Office for Sacred Art. Co-founder of the journal Anecdota, he has explored the history of his "small local homeland" through numerous monographs, including "The Construction of the New Hospital for the Infirm," "The Architectural Complex of SS. Mauro and Agostino," and "Private Libraries of Comacchio." His profound interest in the local memory has also translated into original dissemination initiatives: from his partnership with the esteemed director Cesare Bornazzini, for whom he edited the texts and historical research for documentaries such as "The Discovery of Spina and Pomposia," to the organization of lecture series and debates such as "The Pungolo delle Eresie," co-hosted with Father Giancarlo Pirini. Awarded honorary citizenship in 1997 and civic recognition in 2023, he today delivers to readers the culmination of his journey with his impressive "Visitationes ad Limina." This volume encapsulates the legacy of a lifetime dedicated, with tireless and silent dedication, to his homeland. Promoter and sponsorship: Archdiocese of Ferrara-Comacchio