EUROPE/LITHUANIA - National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies awarded the Cross of Officer of the Order of Merit Pro Lithuania

Vilnius (Agenzia Fides) - Last Sunday, February 16, Lithuania celebrated the National Day commemorating the proclamation of the Republic of Lithuania in 1918. Following the Act of Restoration of the Lithuanian State, adopted on March 11, 1990 by the Supreme Soviet of Lithuania to declare its independence from the Soviet Union, the Baltic State has resumed the celebrations of its National Day. Traditionally, on this day the President of the Republic awards honors to people who have distinguished themselves and have made a contribution to the welfare of society in various fields.

This year, during the official celebrations, the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, awarded the Order of Merit "Pro Lithuania" with the rank of officer to the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Lithuania, Fr. Alessandro Barelli of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Father Alessandro, an Italian missionary born in Turin in 1969, has been working in the Baltic country for 27 years and was awarded for his significant contribution to Lithuanian society.

The award was given in recognition of his work as parish priest of the parish of St. John Bosco in Vilnius, as editor of the Salesian Bulletin in Lithuanian for 25 years and as National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies, and for his numerous initiatives in favor of local youth, with particular attention to missionary work and inculturation. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 18/2/2025)

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