5 euro – Centenary of the birth of Don Lorenzo Milani

The Vatican State Mint dedicates the 5 euro bimetallic coin to Don Lorenzo Milani on the centenary of his birth. On the coin’s reverse side, artist Marco Ventura depicts Don Milani together with a group of young people; behind him on the left we see the small village of Barbiana and on the right we read the phrase: “I care” written on the page of a book. These symbols fully represent the vocation characterizing Don Milani’s priesthood from the beginning that focused on education and care for his parishioners. In 1954 he started a school for the youth and farmer communities of the surrounding area. The school was at the forefront for its time and open year-round. Among its many activities, the school offered foreign languages, as well as study and work abroad trips. It was no wonder, then, that the motto “I care,” was written in English on the walls of the school. This phrase represented for Don Milani the cornerstone of his teaching and his commitment to those most in need: “I care; I take it to heart; it concerns me.”