Turin (Italy), Wednesday, 21st May 2025
Monks Dr. Ramia Davide Ghirardello (psychologist, psychotherapist) and Ramia Riccardo Fertino represented the Church Universal Soul at the Study Day in memory of Professor PierLuigi Zoccatelli, who passed away prematurely a year ago, on the feast of Mary Help of Christians, 24th May 2024.
The conference took place at the Einaudi Campus of the University of Turin. The distinguished speakers reviewed the internationally recognized scientific contributions and publications that Professor Zoccatelli produced in the many fields of his scholarly interests. With no small amount of emotion and nostalgia, they also recalled his multifaceted personality, his unique life story, and his choices of faith. Everyone recalled his great sensitivity and humanity, his ability to listen, and his respectful and sincere manner, which inspired great respect and trust in those fortunate enough to know the beloved PierLuigi.
Professor Stefania Palmisano, of the University of Turin, thanked Anima Universale for its invaluable contribution to organizing the conference and then invited us to share our memories of PierLuigi Zoccatelli with those presenta.
Here is the transcript of Ramia Davide Ghirardello’s speech:
I’d like to take a few minutes to express my memory of PierLuigi on behalf of the monastic community of Anima Universale. I especially want to remember the great and profound friendship that bound us, and to express our sincere gratitude for the sensitivity and great respect with which Professor Zoccatelli approached our Church, the Christian spiritual thought of our Founder—Swami Roberto—and our community.
Just think, we met PierLuigi almost thirty years ago, when he began to take an interest in our Church. This exploration and study led to various publications and conference presentations, including the entry on Anima Universale in the Encyclopedia of Religions in Italy. I also want to remember the visit to our monastery of eighty distinguished professors from around the world, a visit strongly desired by PierLuigi himself, as part of that wonderful conference on world religions held in 2019 on this very campus. Well, as I said at the beginning, alongside this exploration and study, a strong friendship with PierLuigi was born. And he, in particular, was a great friend of our founder, Swami Roberto. The bond that united them was truly profound, and went beyond the professional sphere.
We have fond memories of PierLuigi, like snapshots of many evenings spent together, where we discussed everything from his countless research projects throughout his prolific career, to his remarkable life experiences, to his keen interest in our Church.
These encounters have left an indelible mark on our minds, on our hearts, and have given us a gift, a beautiful gift: the opportunity to know PierLuigi, beyond the extraordinary aspect of his great scholarship, but also for the wonderful person that he was.
In fact, among PierLuigi’s many valuable qualities, I want to mention three: his lively curiosity, combined with great humanity and a delicate empathy. Yes, because every time he took an interest in us, asked about our Church, how the celebrations were held, or even when he personally approached his friend Roberto to ask him about the most surprising aspects of his life, PierLuigi never had a tone that was, how shall I say, cold or detached, like that of a scholar, but always conveyed great affection and warmth, with his genuine desire to learn and his great humanity.
He managed to be emotionally involved without being intrusive. He was very empathetic, polite, and careful with his words.
You really had the feeling of being at table with a great professor, vastly knowledgeable, but one who never made you feel burdened.
I will conclude by saying that PierLuigi really loved us, and we loved him. The bond that united us in this earthly dimension continues to unite us in the time of the Spirit, which is eternal present. And so we can truly say forever: We love you, PierLuigi. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Professor and Friend.
