On 10 February 2017 in the Amazonas Legislative Assembly Hall in Manaus, Brother Gino Alberati received the title of Amazonas citizen, a merited award for the 47 years of the mission spent for the people in Amazonas, Brazil. An untiring and authentic Capuchin, he lived all these years in  the spirit of unity which characterises the Focolare Movement. Deputy José Ricardo Wending, a member of the group of politicians who promote the Political Movement for Unity (MPPU), inspired precisely by this movement had mainly conceived this important award. The award ceremony was simple and fraternal. The protocol rituals were set aside, overcome by the atmosphere of fraternity created amongst all those present. In his simple and unofficial speech, Brother Gino underlined his calling to fraternity, typical of his being a son of St. Francis of Assisi. He also transmitted the simplicity and depth of the charism of unity of Chiara Lubich, whom he had met when he was a young friar about to leave for Brazil. These 47 years passed in Brazil have confirmed what he said. His tenor voice, which never failed to resound in the midst of the Amazon forest, also echoed in this Assembly Hall, because he sang the Hail Mary, which moved all those present. Besides the civil and religious authorities, also a group of Capuchin brothers and some members of the Work of Mary attended the event. The various speeches that followed underlined the precious service that the missionaries rendered to the Church, not only in evangelisation but especially in human promotion and concrete love for others, especially in the fields of education and health, which are so fragile and jeopardized in these lands Source: Blog CROM