‘Solomon Heart made in Italy Celebrated Golden Jubilee’
By Nascia Pae Catholic Communication Gizo Diocese Western Province
Bishop Luciano Capelli sdb celebrated his golden anniversary as a Professed Salesian of Don Bosco on August 16, and renewed his vows to God in front of his church community… in front of three nice and tasty cakes
Visibly touched and emotionally moved he prayed the formula of Salesian Religious Profession. The bishop later explained that he has never felt so emotional in his life as he renewed the same commitment to God which he made 50 years ago. “At that time I did not know what I would face, now I know and therefore this renewal is more meaningful and complete even if done in a very simple and informal way… I promised gain like don Bosco to give my life to the last breath for my flock… how can you not be emotional about it?”
Bishop Luciano Capelli was born in Tirano (So) Italy on October 19th, 1947.
From 1965—1971 he was in the philippines. He obtained his Bachelor Degree in Education—philosophy studies in 1968, work as Biology instructor for Don Bosco Technical College of Engineering in 1969-1970. Then in early 1971 he obtained Perpetual Profession and was a Classical Latin and teacher in Don Bosco Seminary College.
In 1972 he returned to Italy to study theological studies at Instituto Teologico Sam Tommaso. He was ordained a deacon on December 10, 1974 at Sondrio. He completed his theological studies in 1975 in which he obtained his Bachelor Degree in Theology. He was Ordained a Priest in June 28, 1975 at Cologna di Tirano Sodrio (Italy).
In 1975 to 1999 he went back to the Philippines. In 1976 to 1977 he was a Youth Center Director for Don Bosco Technical College of Engineering. From 1977- 1982 he became the Spiritual Director for Don Bosco Technical College of Engineering. In 1982 he was Rector for Don Bosco Technical Institute at Tarlac, Philippians.
From 1985 to 1991, he went for further studies and obtained his Masters Degree in Education at Saint Joseph College of Graduate School, Manila. He was also Rector of Don Bosco Technical College of Engineering.
In 1991 to 1992 Bishop Luciano Capelli was Rector Don Bosco Hall, for the boarding house for University Students in the Philippines. In 1992 to 1993 Bishop Luciano Capelli becomes a provincial council member and from 1993 to 1999 he was the Provincial FIN province for Manila and Papua New Guinea.
He came to the Solomons in 1999, he built and founded and was Rector for Don Bosco Technical Institute at Henderson in Honiara and Don Bosco Rural Training Center and Mini Hjospital at Tetere North East Guadalcanal until 2007.
He was ordained Bishop of Gizo on October 21, 2007by His Eminence Cardinal Joseph Zen—Cardinal of China at Gizo. Over the weekend he celebrated three masses on the 14th Friday he celebrated Mass to mark the open day of the St Peter Training Centre and the Kindergarten rebuilt by him after the Gizo Tsunami and Earthquake of april 2 2007.
He marked 200 years of the Birth of DON Bosco, 15th He celebrated for the Mothers of St Peter Parish and on the 16th he renewed his commitments with a heartfelt speech that made everyone in tears.
