Daily
|
| Fiat voluntas tua |
| Sub tutela Dei |
| Ad maiorem Dei gloriam |
| In nomine Domini |
Your answer was: Sub tutela Dei. |
Answer: 
 Blessed Rosario Livatino was not only a magistrate but a modern-day martyr whose life embodied the Gospel’s call to justice, integrity, and courage. Born in 1952 in Canicattì, Sicily, he entered the judiciary with a profound sense of vocation. His legal career was marked by an unyielding fight against organized crime, particularly the Sicilian mafia, which ultimately led to his assassination in 1990. What set Livatino apart was not just his professional rigor but the spiritual depth that underpinned his work. He often signed his diary entries with the Latin phrase “Sub tutela Dei” (“Under the protection of God”), a testament to his belief that his mission as a judge was divinely guided. His beatification in 2021 by Pope Francis recognized him as a martyr “in odium fidei” (in hatred of the faith), highlighting how his Christian convictions were inseparable from his pursuit of justice. Livatino&145;s legacy continues to inspire legal professionals and believers alike, reminding the world that faith and civic duty can—and should—coexist in harmony. Issued on February 27, 2025, as part of the Vatican’s “Witnesses of Hope” series, the commemorative stamp dedicated to Blessed Livatino is rich in symbolism. The central vignette features Livatino holding a book inscribed with “SUB TUTELA DEI,” the very motto that encapsulated his life’s mission. Behind him rises the Cathedral of Agrigento, the site of his beatification, anchoring the image in both spiritual and historical context. The side bandella (decorative margin) adds a poetic layer: an allegorical figure of Hope, hands raised in prayer, emits a radiant light into a starry sky—echoing the biblical promise to Abraham who “hoped against all hope” (Romans 4:18). The anchor, a traditional Christian symbol of hope, is paired with Pope Francis’ metaphor of hope as a lifeline that must be firmly grasped. Together, these elements elevate the stamp beyond mere commemoration—it becomes a visual catechesis on faith, resilience, and moral clarity. The special postmark (annullo speciale) issued on the same day as the stamp serves as both a philatelic and spiritual seal. Circular in shape and 38 mm in diameter, it features a stylized depiction of Livatino holding his diary, with architectural elements of the Agrigento Cathedral in the background. The inscriptions—TESTIMONI DI SPERANZA, BEATO ROSARIO LIVATINO, POSTE VATICANE, and DIE EMISSIONIS 27.02.2025—frame the image with solemn dignity. This postmark is not just a collector’s item; it’s a symbolic act of remembrance. It marks a moment in time when the Church and the world paused to honor a man who lived his vocation with fearless integrity. Whether affixed to a letter or preserved in a philatelic album, it carries the weight of testimony—of a life lived “under the protection of God,” and of hope that endures even in the face of death. |
