by InTrieste
In a heartfelt ceremony held in the Palazzo della Regione in Piazza Unità d’Italia, Monsignor Ettore Malnati, a towering figure in Trieste’s religious, cultural, and social life, was awarded the 2024 Barcola Award. The honor comes as Don Malnati, after nearly 50 years of service, prepares to leave the city he has profoundly shaped, returning to his native province of Varese.
“Don Ettore Malnati leaves behind something in our city, particularly in the Nostra Signora di Sion community, that didn’t exist before: a healthy family atmosphere that has accompanied generations of Triestines,” said Pierpaolo Roberti, Regional Councillor for Local Autonomies, during the ceremony.
Malnati, 75, has been a constant presence in the Triestine diocese, serving as the last private secretary to Bishop Antonio Santin and later as diocesan vicar for culture. His influence extended beyond the local community to the Vatican, where he contributed to drafting speeches for the last three Popes. He also held roles as a bishop’s delegate for the Causes of Saints and a trusted consultant to the Holy See.
For decades, Don Malnati was more than a clergyman; he was a cultural and social beacon in Trieste. Known for his warmth, wit, and an incisive irony that often conveyed profound reflections, he became a trusted confidant to countless families. Councillor Roberti, speaking on behalf of many, shared personal gratitude: “Even in my family’s history, Don Ettore has played an important role. This is a well-deserved recognition that resonates with the experiences of so many others.”
The ceremony was attended by several notable figures, including Fabio Scoccimarro, Regional Councillor for Environmental Protection, and the mayors of Trieste and Muggia, Roberto Dipiazza and Paolo Polidori.
In his farewell remarks, Malnati expressed deep gratitude for his time in Trieste, a city he described as “a second home.” Reflecting on his decades-long mission, he said his goal was always to foster a sense of unity and belonging.
As he departs Trieste, Monsignor Malnati leaves a legacy that stretches far beyond the walls of the Nostra Signora di Sion church—a legacy defined by empathy, intellect, and a tireless commitment to building community.
