On Saturday, September 26, in the splendid setting of Pavia Cathedral, Father Alessandro Zaliani, 43, originally from Bornasco, was ordained a deacon. The celebration, presided over by Bishop Corrado Sanguineti, took place at 10:00 a.m. before family, friends, priests, and a large delegation from the Bergamo Seminary, including teachers and seminarians.
The celebration followed the usual liturgical order: after the presentation of the candidate and the Bishop's homily, Father Alessandro prostrated himself on the ground while the Litany of the Saints was sung, and then received the laying on of hands and the consecratory prayer from Bishop Corrado, the gesture that, in Church tradition, confers the degree of diaconate, the first degree of the sacrament of Holy Orders. The explanatory rites followed: the vesting with the stole and dalmatic, assisted by the parish priest of Bornasco, Father Daniele Sacchi, the presentation of the Book of the Gospels, and the embrace of peace exchanged with the Bishop and the deacons present in the sanctuary. During the central part of the Holy Mass, the newly ordained deacon Father Alessandro performed the liturgical service proper to his new ministry for the first time, assisting at the altar during the presentation of the gifts.
A law graduate from the University of Pavia, Alessandro Zaliani worked for twelve years in a bank before embarking on the path that led to ordination. His quest began during his university years and was further developed over time through vocational courses in Assisi and the “10 Words” programme. Currently in his sixth year of theology, he completed his training at the Seminary of Pavia, the Seminary of Lodi, and, in recent years, the Seminary of Bergamo.
Over the past year he has provided pastoral service in the City Centre, collaborated with the University and Vocational Ministry and with MoChi, while, after ordination, he will continue his theological studies in Bergamo for the Baccalaureate, will accompany the “10 Words” course in the Seminary on Thursdays and will be present on weekends in the parish of Vidigulfo, where Don Fabio Curti has recently become parish priest.
In his homily, Bishop Sanguineti drew inspiration from the verse that Father Alessandro himself chose to commemorate his ordination—“I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:27)—to illustrate the profound meaning of the diaconal ministry, recalling the gesture of washing the feet and the fulfillment of that service in the gift of self on the cross. The Bishop also recalled the Gospel passage of the dispute among the Twelve over who was considered the greatest, emphasizing how Christ overturns this logic of power, indicating true greatness in service, not in domination.
Addressing the new deacon directly, the Bishop retraced the journey of discernment and formation that had led him to this point. Referring to an interview with Father Alessandro published in «Il Ticino,» in which he expressed both joy and trepidation at the step he was about to take, the Bishop described this sentiment as a sign of authenticity, not a cause for fear: “If you feel trembling and fear, it is a positive sign; it means you are taking this step with great humility and sincerity of heart.”. Recalling the story of the apostles – chosen by Jesus not because they were better than others, but nevertheless capable of generating, through their own limitations, a new reality in the world – Monsignor Sanguineti invited him not to fear: “God, for his part, does not fail and is able to complete his work in you.”
From today onwards, Deacon Don Alessandro can be an even greater example for many young people who, looking to him and his courage, will be inspired to ask great questions in their search for He who is the source of every vocation.
Read the Bishop's complete homily (opens in a new tab)The little picture
The article was published in «Il Ticino» on 5 October 2026 (press review).
Photo gallery
