Lino Cassani

Lino Cassani (8 July 1869 – 30 November 1963) was an Italian priest, historian and archaeologist, known for his works on history and art of Province of Novara. He is considered one of the fathers of Novara historiography.

He was finally ordained a priest on July 8, 1893 and graduated in theology on July 8, 1899 in Rome.

Ministry and passion for art and history

He carried out his ministry in the provinces of Novara and Vercelli, in the parishes of San Pietro Mosezzo, Campertogno (1893–1895), Mollia and Saint Euphemia (1900–1938). (founded by Morandi himself) and founding together with Alessandro Viglio the Società Storica Novarese in 1920, of which he was appointed treasurer. In 1926, on the occasion of the Jubilee of priesthood, the Historical Society officially commemorated him with gifts, displays of affection, and a visit to the National Boarding School, where he was an educator and spiritual director. During the Society's assembly, Alessandro Viglio announced his honor as Knight of the Order of the Crown of Italy.

Given the passion and competence demonstrated for historical and historical-artistic studies, between 1925 and 1935 he was appointed several times as a member of the provincial commission and inspector for the conservation of monuments and historical and artistic heritage, together with Viglio himself.

In 1929 he obtained the title of papal secret chamberlain.

In 1938, after 50 years of parish work, he became parish priest emeritus of Sant'Eufemia, and was appointed canon of the Novara Cathedral (a position which included the conservation of the chapter archive, a task which was very congenial to his interests and which he carried out with extraordinary commitment ) and held the chair of Morals and Sacred Art in the Theological Seminary.

In March 1946 he lost his mother, aged 97.

He was later invested with further roles in the ecclesiastical hierarchy: domestic prelate on 20 March 1952 and provost of the Chapter in 1962.

Last years In his later years, he retreated to private life, in his apartment on Via Mossotti in Novara, along with his sister Angela, who assisted him. Part of the apartment had been converted into a veritable museum, with rare antiques of great value: paintings, fresco fragments, statues, carpets, lace, ceramics, and engravings. Given his age, the bishop allowed him to celebrate Mass at home, ).

In 1978 the municipality of Novara named a street after him in the Sacro Cuore district.

In 1994 the journalist and writer Romolo Barisonzo dedicated a chapter to him in the third volume of the series Novaresi bella gente (Novaresi nice people), where he is described as having a scruffy appearance and as a fascinating conversationalist.

Honors

Works A partial list of Lino Cassani's publications, in chronological order:

Bollettino Storico per la Provincia di Novara A partial list of articles published in the Società Storica Novareses journal: