For years, Lapressa.it has been offering its readers free and independent information without any public support. Private advertising covers part of the costs, but this is not enough. That is why we ask those who read and follow us daily to contribute to us if they believe in their capacity. Even a small amount of support, multiplied by the tens of thousands of people from Modena and Emilia-Romagna who read us every day, is essential.
It has been 35 years since Enzo Ferrari died on August 14, 1988 at the age of 90. Among the many memories and anecdotes that are still alive in the vast human and material legacy that Drake left behind is a piece of evidence that may not be known to all. This edition, presented to the participants of the commemoration ceremony on the tenth anniversary of his death, was signed by Don Galasso Andreoli, a priest of the Ferrari factory for decades, and also a priest in the Soviet Togliattigrad in the early 70s. Pages are now a sought-after object for collectors, but with lively and up-to-date content.
Don Galasso, a priest known and loved by many in Modena, who died in 2005, left a deep human and spiritual testimony of the man who conceived and built the myth of the prancing horse.
A story that tactfully and delicately describes the conversion of a man who, perhaps more than anyone else, epitomized Italian entrepreneurial prowess in the world. An address that Don Galasso describes as “His most beautiful victory.”
And that is why today, 35 years after the death of Ferrari, we have restored this publication and believe that this testimony deserves to be completely repeated.
English Enzo Ferrari talked about it in books, magazines and newspaper articles from all over the world. For my part, I would like to reveal a human and spiritual aspect that many do not know and which they might like to know. I met an engineer. Ferrari in February 1957; I was a priest for several months, and Ferraris, railways and city sewers were my apostolic duties. When in our negotiations eng. Ferrari took the floor, it was difficult for me to join the dialogue.
From time to time I tried to object, but he was always the one who held the “ball”. I always listened willingly, attentively, also because he was very smart. I did not stop visiting him once a month, when it was possible, and this allowed over time to make our relationship more and more trusting, so much so that I could write to him while I was in Togliattigrad with Fiat (1969-1973) , on the occasion of Ferrari’s big victory (1st and 2nd at the Austrian Grand Prix), the following telegram:
And the next day this immediate answer came to me.
But, in spite of everything, the situation of “waiting” remained. At some point I changed my style. Every time I went to see him, I always had a specific gesture of kindness that I could offer him, for one of his employees or for a family member. He never said no. I want to talk about some of them.
• A foundry worker asked me if I was approaching Ferrari to recommend his daughter, a new accountant, at a bank in Modena. To which Ferrari in a complacently grumpy tone: Why doesn’t he come up and ask me? The worker went and his daughter worked in this bank.
• Città dei Ragazzi in Modena needed a Formula 1 engine to be dismantled for a mechanics school. As soon as I presented my request, with that playful manner when he was “in good shape” (and only in these cases he addressed me personally), he told me: the frame, and then the car. That would be true… if I didn’t immediately give away the pieces taken at my discretion to amateurs. The six-cylinder engine is now proudly displayed at the Citta dei Ragazzi mechanical school.
• An employee’s sister living in Modena adopted a seriously ill child who was rejected by his parents. The condition of Florence, where this heroic unmarried girl worked, did not allow her to be transferred to the condition of Modena. English Ferrari was so moved that he used all his influence to secure the immediate transfer of this young woman, and he succeeded.
• The management of the Massa Finalese sugar factory has not decided whether to allow me to enter this working environment as a chaplain: Ing. Ferrari even wrote me… his recommendation. Too bad he didn’t save the text.
• When there was an assassination attempt on the Pope, I saw him almost upset. He confessed to me that he had read Hail Mary for his healing and added: “He is the only person in the world who speaks with authority and does not allow anyone to influence him.” “It’s a prototype, just like her!” I replied. He smiled at me.
• When some of his old mechanics from the “golden days” came, I often saw his secretary preparing a check for signature, and I’m sure it was a spontaneous offer, not a request.
• Don’t forget community policing initiatives: funding research into muscular dystrophy; a magnetic resonance center in the Polyclinic of Modena and by providing the dystrophic people of our city with a permanent center (on Via Mascagni) which, in addition to an outpatient clinic, manages – through volunteers – a workers’ cooperative for the disabled. The fact that his son Piero continues to humbly and simply finance his father’s work is very important: he left him not only an economic legacy, but also a legacy of human values. I am convinced that it was this choice and these gestures that prepared him to meet the Lord, despite his strong passions, which were not always contained. Together with the immature death of his Dino, which cut deep into his soul, so strongly that he felt, despite human glory, the precariousness of life.
When on Saturday May 9, 1988, after so many prayers, I went to visit Ing. Ferrari to talk to him about the need to put his soul in order – if he wants to meet the two people he loved so much, his son Dino and his kind mother – I added: “If Abbot Alberto Clerici (died in 1972, who he appreciated it so much) she would have confessed by now.” Then, feeling like not the most suitable person, I suggested: “Do you want me to go and find you a priest?” And he answered in his usual commanding tone, but in which excitement stood out: “I already have a priest!”, And put his hand on my shoulder. It was so wonderful that I was no longer afraid to return to him, on the eve of the Pope’s arrival, with the Eucharistic case, in order to repeat the confession to him and tell it. In the end, after a short silence spent in prayer, I asked him if he could come to Maranello the next day, June 4th, to meet with the Pope, to which he regretfully replied that he did not want to because of of his illness. and severe exhaustion. He was sincere, and this is proved by his words: “I know that Papa loves watches, I ordered him to make one especially for him at a Swiss factory and will send it to him tomorrow.” He looked like a child preparing a gift for his father. The next day, there was a long phone conversation between the Ferrari engineer and dad, about which they talked to each other, no one will ever know. I asked eng. Ferrari, in order to be able to inform the Pope that he had confessed and communicated, and before the phone call, the Pope had already been informed. The wide and long hugs that the Pope gave me that day on the stage of the Fiorano track, no doubt, should have expressed the joy of this news. I returned again to visit an illustrious friend. I didn’t go on holiday with my parishioners just to be with them. On August 14, when his condition worsened, I offered him sick oil, which he accepted. He was in such a clear consciousness that nothing foreshadowed death in such a short time. It was already Vespers of the Dormition of the Mother of God when she accepted Chrismation and a few minutes later, in full clear consciousness, completed her earthly day: August 14, 1988.
Why did I allow myself to tell all this? I have witnessed many human events with happy endings, but this is all I want to make public. A journalistic investigation revealed that the three most famous companies in the world are Coca Cola, Ferrari and Brigitte Bardot. Enzo Ferrari now belongs to history. I believe that everyone has the right to know and enjoy the most beautiful event of his life, which so honors him; especially young people who see him as a legend. It is not bad to think that even the meek are weak and need God.
The approach to the great figure of Napoleon is natural for me. When Napoleon, on the island of Saint Helena, sensing the approach of the end of his days, asked Pope Pius VII, whom he held captive and treated cruelly, for a priest to prepare his soul for the great transition, Pius VII even wanted him to be a Corsican priest . head to Sant’Elena to get a better look. On this occasion, Napoleon was asked by those close to him: “But how do you, the great Napoleon, feel the need for a priest?” And Napoleon answered: “Only an unconscious person is ready to cross the threshold of mystery without reconciling with God.” Here I seem to hear the voice of the older brother mentioned in the Gospel of Luke (15.1 pp.) in the parable of the “prodigal son”: but such an easy reconciliation after a life in which God is, as it were, forgotten? In the heart of every person, even the most hardened sinner, there is God, even if he is not allowed to manifest. And that God, almost paralyzed by human sin, is always ready to make himself felt in the conscience and heart of his children, as soon as they give him the opportunity. Then it’s good that everyone knows that no one is immune on his own. Salvation is a completely free gift. The only way to be saved is the way of the publican, who beats his chest and says without raising his eyes to heaven: “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner” (Luke 18:9). “What about work?” someone might say. Actions are needed, but as a response to the gratuitous love of God, who saved us out of love. Therefore, works are not the cause of salvation: only the grace of God saves us.
Finally, I would like to point out that I would be presumptuous if I attributed Ferrari’s relationship with God to myself. In these cases, the priest is only an instrument, and often inadequate, in the hands of God.
Sak. Chaplain Galasso Andreoli Ferrari
Modena, August 14, 1998 Tenth anniversary of the birth of Eng. Enzo Ferrari