1 · fra pietro m. papini [ann] prot. 382/2010 8. fra stefano m. papini [ann] prot. 395/2010 9....

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May - June 2011 COSMO 5-6

RESURREXIT 2010

1. Fra Lorenzo M. (Porfirio) Santinon Bianco [SMA] Prot. 39/2010

2. Fra Camillo M. De Piaz [VEN] Prot. 404/2010

3. Fra Patrick M. Carroll [ISL] Prot. 190/2010

4. Fra Georges-Étienne M. Allard [CAN] Prot. 489/2010

5. Fra Maurice M. O’Gorman [ISL] Prot. 226/2010

6. Fra Battista M. Pivato [VEN] Prot. 239/2010

7. Fra Pietro M. Papini [ANN] Prot. 382/2010

8. Fra Stefano M. Papini [ANN] Prot. 395/2010

9. Fra Columba M. (James) McManus [CAN] Prot. 498/2010

10. Fra Pellegrino M. (Cesio) Santucci [PRG] Prot. 90/2011

11. Fra Marcello M. (Salvatore) Pisa-nelli [ANN] Prot. 383/2010

12. Fra Luciano M. (Narciso) Guidi [ANN] Prot. 384/2010

13. Fra Giovanni M. Onini [PRG] Prot. 480/2010

14. Fra Giulio M. (Michele) Signori [VEN] Prot. 419/2010

15. Fra Alessio M. (Danilo) Zanollo [VEN] Prot. 420/2010

16. Fra Giovanni M. (Manlio) Pressac-co [VEN] Prot. 542/2010

17. Fra Carlo M. Turati [VEN] Prot. 457/2010

18. Fra Agostino M. (Giuseppe) Riz-zotto [VEN] Prot. 458/2010

19. Fra Aldo M. Lazzarin [VEN] Prot. 93/2011

20. Fra Costanzo M. (Danilo) Simoni [VEN] Prot. 499/2010

21. Fra Francis M. (Francis Joseph) Christie [AUS/USA] Prot. 539/2010

22. Fra Luigi M. (Cosimo) De Vitto-rio [ANN] Prot. 46/2011

23. Fra Emidio M. Iotti [PRG] Prot.

91/2011

1.Fr. Lorenzo M. (Porfirio) Santinon Bianco [SMA]

On Wednesday, January 20, 2010, Fra

Lorenzo M. (Porfirio) Santinon Bianco died in the hospital in Cochabamba, Boliv-ia. Fra Lorenzo was a solemn professed deacon, a member of the Santa Maria de los Andes Province and the Seven Holy Founders community in Cochabamba.

He was born on October 18, 1924 in Castelminio di Resana, Treviso, Italy and entered the Servite Order as a brother at the age of 18. After his initial religious for-mation he was sent in 1947 as a mission-ary to the Servite foundations in Latin America.

His first assignment was in Montevideo, Uruguay where he remained for one year. He then went to Las Toscas, Avellaneda and Quilmes in Argentina. He was eager to put his youthful energy to work in the apos-tolate.

In 1950 he was sent to Santiago, Chile where he devoted himself to teaching in the Santa Teresita Parish elementary school. He did this work for fifteen years. He very much wanted to be a priest and for this pur-pose he spent two years outside the Order. In 1955 he entered the Santiago Pontifical Seminary. Poor health and difficulty with studies made this dream impossible so he came back to the Order and reaffirmed his commitment with Solemn Profession in 1961.

His desire to be a missionary was still very much alive and he was allowed to go to the Apostolic Vicariate of Aysén where he labored for 32 years and did mission work in the most remote and abandoned parts of the region. His first assignment was in Baker (1967) where he taught and helped direct the San José boarding school for the children of colonists. In 1971 he was a member of the community that es-tablished the parish of San José in Cochrane. Here again he had a chance to do missionary work: he spent months trav-eling on horseback to the most remote are-as in the region.

In 1974 he achieved part of his long cherished dream and became a minister of the church: he was ordained to the diaco-


COSMO 5-6 May - June 2011

nate. In 1977 he was assigned to Chile Chico

and spent nine years doing missionary work among the Christian communities in the General Carrera Lake area.

His next assignment (1986) was in Coy-haique and then Puerto Aysén (1988) where he worked in rural communities and the coastal settlements for ten years.

In 1998 he was assigned to the Cocha-bamba, Bolivia formation community.

His missionary work was primarily among young people and children. He did much to persuade them to follow Jesus‟ call to the priestly and religious life.

His life-long support was the prayer to which he was devoted. He felt himself loved by God and Our Lady and strove ceaselessly to respond to this love with an exemplary life that reflected Gospel teach-ing.

In spite of his age and poor health he persevered in his charitable activity until his death on January 20, 2010.

The many, humble people who came to his funeral were proof of the affection and esteem they felt for Fra Lorenzo. His body was laid to rest in the crypt of Our Lady of Socavon Sanctuary in Oruro.

2. Fra Camillo M. De Piaz [VEN]

In the early hours of January 31, 2010, Fra Camillo M. De Piaz died in the hospi-tal in Sondrio. Fra Camillo was a solemn professed priest, a member of the Venetian Province and the San Carlo community in Milan.

He was born on February 24, 1918 in Tirano, Valtellina. Servites came to Tirano five years later to care for the local Marian shrine and teach the young people of the valley. After the Servites left Tirano Fra Camillo remained in the Madonna di Tirano priory and cultivated the many acquaintanc-es Servites had made in the area over the years. Everyone knew “Father Camillo.” He was a respected presence in the cultur-al life of Valtellina and the neighboring Val Poschiavo in Switzerland. Signs of the long Servite presence are still apparent. It is not just a question of nostalgia – there are strong friendships with the Order in the

area. Fra Camillo entered the Order as a nov-

ice on July 30, 1934. On August 4, the fol-lowing year he made his simple profession and was ordained to the priesthood on June 29, 1941.

Fra Camillo M. De Piaz and Fra David M. Turoldo were both assigned to San Car-lo Priory in Milan at the same time and were enrolled in doctoral courses at the Catholic University. The friends and ac-quaintances they encountered there would have repercussions on the whole of Milan-ese society. They were active participants in the Resistance movement against Fas-cism. In spite of their very different person-alities and personal gifts Camillo and David enjoyed a life-long friendship. They be-came key persons for those involved in cul-tural life, research, charitable work and church renewal. Because of them San Carlo priory became a center for broad, human dialogue and solidarity in downtown Milan. Their activity found expression in the Mass of Charity and the cultural work of the Corsia dei Servi.

Fra Camillo spent a year in Trieste and then in 1957 was assigned to the Servite community at Madonna di Tirano where he remained until his death. As long as his health allowed (until the early 90s) he con-tinued to support and contribute to the cul-tural work of the Corsia dei Servi and the Nuova Corsia (1974-1992). He visited Mi-lan (sometimes weekly) and continued his Milanese connections.

Fra Camillo always preferred speaking to writing – there are few titles in his bibli-ography. Most of his written work was done in recent years. The “figure of Father Camillo” has inspired recent research and historical work: GOZZINI, G. Sulla fron-tiera. Camillo de Piaz, la Resistenza, il Concilio e oltre, Scheiwiller; SARESELLA, D., David M. Turoldo, Camillo De Piaz e la Corsia dei Servi di Milano (1943-1963), Morcelliana.

Fra Camillo was an indefatigable reader and always ready to write news and con-temporary history articles for local (Valtellina and Val Poschiavo) and national (Una città) publications. In his latter years, starting in 1990, he worked on three vol-


umes of homilies based on the readings of the three-year liturgical cycle and published by Servitium 2000.

He was a respected friend of Cardinal Montini (later Paul VI) who asked him to translate the encyclical Populorum Progres-sio into Italian.

Because of his vast erudition and acute sensitivity Fra Camillo was a precise and respected critic. Last November 12 (2009) Fra Camillo along with other citizens of Tira-no, was recognized as an “esponente del mondo della cultura” [a representative of the world of culture].

When informed of Fra Camillo‟s poor health, Carlo Cardinal Martini, assured Ca-millo that “gli è vicino nella preghiera e di cuore lo benedice perché anche questo tem-po della sua vita sia segnato dalla gioia e dal servizio” [he was with him in prayer and sendt his heartfelt blessing so that this peri-od of his life would be one of joy and ser-vice.]

His funeral was held on Tuesday, Febru-ary 2, 2010 at the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Tirano – a church he so very much loved. The Bishop of Como, Msgr. Diego Coletti, presided at the funeral and spoke of his re-spect for Fra Camillo and his regret that he had little chance to get to know him since he had only recently come to the diocese. The church was filled with friars, local priests, friends and many admirers from afar. Fra Camillo‟s remains were laid to rest in a tomb near the Servite Chapel in Tirano.

3. Fra Patrick M. Carroll [ISL]

On April 10, 2010, Fra Patrick Mary Car-roll, O.S.M., died at Nazareth House Convent Care Home, London. His brothers Colum and Noel and his sister Mary were at his bedside. Fra Patrick was a solemn pro-fessed Servite priest, the Prior Provincial of the Province of the Isles and a member of the community at St. Mary’s Priory in Lon-don.

Patrick Carroll was born a twin in Dublin on April 12, 1952. His twin brother was James. They were the sons of James Car-roll and Sheila (née Callaghan). His family was gifted in business and music. He went to secondary school at Marian College,

Ballsbridge. He joined the Servite Order in the late

1960s and began his novitiate on August 12, 1972 at Cafaggio Priory in Detroit (USA) where he made his first profession on Au-gust 4,1973. On May 27, 1979 he made his solemn profession and was ordained to the priesthood on January 5, 1980 at Our Lady of Benburb Servite Priory.

He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts de-gree at University College, Dublin and a Bachelor of Divinity degree at St. Patrick‟s College, Maynooth in 1979. Fra Patrick was a gifted student and hoped to teach. He at-tended the Redemptorist Alphonsianum Fac-ulty in Rome where he studied Moral Theolo-gy and was awarded a licentiate in theology in 1981. While a student at the Alphonsi-anum he lived at St. Alexis College (1979-1982).

From 1983 to 1985 he lived at the Blakestown Priory in Dublin. In 1985 he moved to Rathfarnham, Dublin where he remained for ten years (1985-1995). For seven of those years he lived in the Grange Wood Priory and for three at the Marley Grange Priory. While living at Grange Wood he was a lecturer in Moral Theology at Milltown Park. His appointment as the Par-ish Priest in Marley Grange was the begin-ning of a new apostolate. His efforts to in-volve lay people in the parish were much admired. He encouraged the People of God to take ownership (responsibility) of the par-ish. His leadership was marked by his deep spirituality and sense of responsibility. He fostered a spirit of service (part of the Servite charism) with generosity and kindness. Dur-ing those years he served the Irish Servite Vicariate as a councilor and assistant Vicar Provincial.

His talents – devotion to service, spiritual vision, organization, study – prepared him for service to the Order at large. During the Mexico City General Chapter (1995) he was elected to the General Council of the Order. In the Arriccia General Chapter six years later he was re-elected to this position. He served the Order as a General Councilor for twelve years: six with Prior General Fra Hu-bert M. Moons, OSM and six with Prior Gen-eral Fra Ángel M. Ruiz Garnica, OSM.

During these years he lived in the Gen-



eralate at San Marcello in Rome but traveled around the world. Both in Rome and in his travels he worked ceaselessly to encourage the spiritual life and service of the Order‟s members. He was especially energetic in promoting the wider Servite Family (cloistered nuns, sisters, members of the Secular Order, secular institutes and lay groups). In Dublin he had seen the benefit that derived from the Order‟s close collabo-ration with people involved in various minis-tries. He accepted the position of Promoter of Justice and Peace and established rela-tions with other religious orders in Rome and with Servites all around the world and did much for structural renewal in the Roman leadership. He was much involved in plan-ning the General Chapters of 2001 and 2007, General Council meetings with Provin-cials (local leaders) and provincial chapters; his work with the Servite Sisters‟ meetings was much admired.

After a short year of personal renewal in 2008, he was, in 2009, elected the Prior Pro-vincial of the Province of the Isles (England, Scotland, Ireland – six priories, missionary connections to Swaziland, Zululand and Uganda, and links to Servites in Europe and elsewhere). He began his mandate in Sep-tember 2009 by visiting and speaking at length with each friar in his priory or local situation. He was a keen listener, always noting with care and respect what he had heard. In November 2009 he directed a Council Meeting which turned out to be his last. At Christmas his eyesight failed and an “aggressive, inoperable brain tumor” was diagnosed. As well as the suffering of blind-ness and disorientation, his sense of frustra-tion caused him great pain. He had moved to the London Priory only two months previous-ly (October 2009) and was unable to travel back to Dublin to see his mother. His moth-er and brothers, Colm and Noel, and his sis-ter Mary came to see him in London. Nor was he able to return to Rome to bid farewell to the many friends he had there. He was “stripped of his garments” (10th Station of the Cross) with all his gifts and dreams, and joined Christ on the Way of the Cross.

Unsuccessful bouts of radiation and chemotherapy went on for two months, and he remained in his Priory his London. The

community and local “angels” – Fra Jim M. Mulherin OSM, Miss Valerie Voak, Servite Secular Institute and Mrs Rene Silverman – cared for him. His final days were spent in Nazareth House Convent Care Home, a few miles away. He died in the night, early April 10, 2010 in the presence of the nuns, his mother and brothers and sister. He was just two days short of his 58th birthday. It was the same date that his twin brother James had died some years previously.

His funeral was celebrated first celebrat-ed at the Servite Priory, London on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, and then again in “his” parish, Divine Word, Marley Grange, Dublin. Large gatherings of Servites, lay people, church leaders and representatives of various reli-gious orders attended the services. May his love of truth and his well-known compassion find fulfillment in the Vision of God, who showed us the perfect union of truth and compassion in Jesus Christ, born of Mary.

4. Fra Georges-Étienne M. Allard [CAN]

In the early hours of Monday, April 13,

2010, Fra Georges-Étienne M. Allard died in the University of Montreal Geriatric Insti-tute. He was a solemn professed Servite Priest, a member of the Canadian Province and the Community of Seven Holy Founders in Montréal-Nord. He was 84 years old and had been a religious for 65 years.

Fra Georges-Étienne was born on Febru-ary 20, 1926 in Saint-Joachim de Château-guay on St. Bernard Island, the son of Alonzo Allard and Yvonne Lavergne. He was baptized on February 26, 1926 in the parish church of St. Joachim, in the diocese of Valleyfield, Québec. He attended high school in the Servite student house of Saint-Alexis in Ottawa from 1939 to 1944. In Sep-tember 1944 he began his novitiate in Otta-wa and made his simple profession the fol-lowing year. He made his solemn profession on September 16, 1948. He studied philoso-phy and theology at the Dominican College in Ottawa from 1945 to 1952. On February 12, 1952 he was ordained to the priesthood.

He then began a very active life. He was a member of the Notre-Dame du Mont Car-mel community and parochial vicar from



1952 to 1956. He then spent a few months teaching at Collège Notre-Dame des Ser-vites in Ayer‟s Cliff. In October 1956 he went abroad and served in Swaziland, South Africa. He remained there until 1970. This was a youthful dream come true. On the day he was clothed in the Servite Habit he had been given the name François-Xavier. He worked in many different areas before assuming responsibility for St. Mary‟s parish. In 1971 he returned to Canada and was a parochial vicar in Sainte Brigide parish in Montreal in 1971 and 1972. He was then assigned to Saint-Donat priory. While in this parish he started directing a youth choir and from that time on gave music lessons. He was an Aggregate Professor of Music at the Pavillon Universitaire Vincent-d‟Indy. During this time he composed many interesting pieces. Some of his works were played in concert. His students were forever grateful for his love of music and devotion to teach-ing.

From 1976 he was engaged in various ministries at Saint-Donat. He worked full-time in Saint-Donat parish while at the same time taking care of his mother. He also worked with the mentally handicapped and opened a state-approved residence for them. His brother was in charge of its ad-ministration.

Fra Georges-Étienne suffered from Park-inson‟s disease for twenty years during which time his abilities gradually diminished. On January 20, 2000, he went to live in the community at Seven Holy Founders‟ priory. On March 27, 2001 he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and was taken to Hôtel-Dieu Hospital and shortly afterwards was trans-ferred to the University of Montreal Geriatric Institute.

He accepted his situation courageously. The Institute chaplain proved to be his great-est trial: he would not allow him to celebrate or concelebrate Mass nor visit the other sick. Fra Georges-Étienne suffered a great deal because of this – he loved his life as a priest and was an example of devotion to all and sundry.

In spite of the Parkinson‟s disease every day at 5:15 AM he would take public trans-portation to the Compassionist Sisters and celebrate Mass at 7:00 AM. His whole life

centered on celebrating Mass and reciting the Divine Office.

On April 12, 2010, his prior was called to the Geriatric Institute. Fra Georges-Étienne was conscious but had stopped speaking or moving. The prior anointed him and the next day Fra Georges-Étienne died.

A prayer vigil was held at Saint-Donat in Montreal and on Friday, April 17, Fra Paul M. McKeown, the Vicar Provincial, presided at his funeral. Fra Paul-André M. Mailhot, the prior of Seven Holy Founders‟ communi-ty delivered the homily. Our brother‟s body is awaiting the resurrection on the last day together with his deceased confrères in the cemetery at Notre-Dame des Servites in Ayer‟s Cliff.

5. Fra Maurice M. O’Gorman [ISL]

During the night of April 23-24, 2010, Fra Maurice M. O’Gorman died in his communi-ty at Piggs Peak Swaziland. He was a mem-ber of the Province of the Isles and the Regi-na Mundi community in Piggs Peak. Fra Maurice was a professed Servite priest; he was 67 years old and had been in the Order for 47 years.

Maurice Francis Patrick O‟Gorman was born in Mumbai (Bombay) on December 6, 1942, the son of Maurice Kevin O‟Gorman, a soldier, and Marguerite Marie Noella Fallow-field. He was baptized in Holy Name Pro-Cathedral in Bombay (Mumbai). His siblings were Mary, Eileen, Kathleen and Frederic. After the war his family moved back to Eng-land. They set up house in Bolton, Lanca-shire and Maurice went to secondary school at the Salesian Thornleigh College. His fa-ther died in 1960. The President of Thornleigh College mentioned this in his let-ter of recommendation when Maurice en-tered the Servites. Fra Maurice began his novitiate on October 15, 1961 – Fra Anselm M. Richardson OSM was the Master of Nov-ices. He made his simple profession on Oc-tober 17, 1962 – the same time the Second Vatican Council was opening. Three years later he made his solemn profession in Inns-bruck, October 24, 1965.

He did his theological studies in Inns-bruck and then studied at the University while continuing to live in our Innsbruck Pri-



ory. During this time his mentors were Fra Richard M. Riccabona and Fra Ladislaus M. Maurer – two of the great friars involved in the post-conciliar renewal of the Order and the Constitutions. He returned to England in July 1968 with a licentiate in Sacred Theolo-gy (STL). On January 12, 1968, he was ordained to the priesthood in St. Edmund‟s Church, Bolton by Geoffrey Burke, the Bish-op of Salford.

Fra Maurice had long nourished the de-sire to be a missionary. He spoke to his pro-vincial about taking special courses at the University of London School of African and Oriental Studies and the Mill Hill Missionary Institute. He began these studies in Novem-ber 1968 and was ready to leave for Africa on October 29, 1969 where he would remain for the rest of his life: forty-one years of in-tense, cheerful and valuable service to the Diocese of Manzini where the Servites work. He worked with other members of the former English Province: Fra Aloysius M. Peoples (RIP), Fra Michael M. Rogers (RIP), Fra Patrick M. O‟Connell (now working in Uganda at age 91) and Fra Gabriel M. Hoop-er. Fra Maurice came to identify with Swazi-land – his heart was there, it was his adopt-ed homeland.

He had another adopted home – the Ser-vite community in Kersal, Salford. This is where he spent all his leave time and where he established enduring friendships and en-couraged support for the missions. The Kersal parish adopted Fra Maurice as one of their own. After his funeral in Swaziland the Kersal parish held a memorial Mass in his honor. Only two years previously they had celebrated the fortieth anniversary of his or-dination to the priesthood. At that time the Prior Provincial, Fra Patrick M. Ryall, had given a stirring homily which would provide a good appendix to this obituary.

Maurice died in his sleep at Piggs Peak in the hills during the night of April 23-24, 2010: a missionary who did his job. During his time in Swaziland he had served in many different places – especially at Siteki. He will now encounter the Lord of all missions – Our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Christ‟s words to Maurice will surely be: Well done good and faithful servant. Fra Maurice‟s funeral service was celebrated at St. Joseph‟s, Man-

zini, Swaziland on April 29th. 6. Fra Battista M. Pivato [VEN]

At 4:15 on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 26, 2010, Fra Battista Maria Pivato passed away in his community. He was a solemn professed brother, a member of the Venetian Province and the community at Istituto Missioni di Monte Berico in Vicenza, Italy.

Fra Battista was born on November 20, 1920 in Tezze sul Brenta and was chris-tened Giovanni Battista in the Stroppari par-ish church on December 29 that same year. He was nineteen years old when he entered the Servite novitiate at Monte Berico. A year later, June 12, 1941, he made his simple profession there. He remained at Monte Berico until 1943 when he was transferred to Rome – first at the Saint Alexis Formation Community and then at the Generalate in San Marcello. On October 11, 1944, he made his solemn profession in Rome and remained there for eleven years. For most of that time he worked as the community cook. Those were hard times: food was scarce, beggars were always at the door, and the politically persecuted were hidden in our houses. A memory of Rome he often mentioned were the long walks from the Ja-niculum to St. Paul‟s Outside the Walls to hear the monks chant.

Fra Battista returned to Monte Berico for a year (1954-1955). He was stationed in Udine twice (1955-1970 and 1974-1982). He lived in Verona for one year (1970-1971) and the Parish of Our Lady of Sorrows in Mestre for three years (1971-1974). In 1982 he was assigned to Our Lady of Sorrows Priory at Pietralba where he remained for twenty-six years (1982-2008). He loved Pie-tralba: the Dolomite mountains and the woods he loved to walk in. At both Udine and Pietralba he acted as a Reader and Ac-olyte. He studied for these offices and was always fascinated by St. Paul. He could quote the words of Paul in Latin. He was an energetic and creative sacristan – his superb Christmas crèches were widely admired.

He was, until recent years, in good health. After a stay at the Negrar Infirmary he was the first brother welcomed and cared



for in the Istituto Missioni community on Sat-urday, April 18, 2009, Easter week. The fi-nal years of his long life were filled with re-curring health problems: emergency room visits, hospital stays, various therapies – all of this was made easier by the company of his confrères and the professional, affection-ate attention of his nurses. He was well aware of this and was always quick to ex-press his gratitude. He was aware of his progressive and painful decline but was al-ways patient.

After a long and work-filled life of service to Our Lord and Our Lady, the ninety year old Fra Battista died peacefully in the com-munity at 4:30 PM on Wednesday, May 26, 2010. His heart stopped beating. Dr Carlo Masolo and nurses Ana and Silvana were at his side. That morning nurses Camilla, Da-vid and Vasco had been with him. Not long beforehand the Prior, Fra Giuseppe M. Zau-pa, had brought him the blessing of Our La-dy of Monte Berico. Brothers of the commu-nity were at his side during his final, painless passing. They sang the Gregorian antiphon: In manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum. After his death they sang: Regina Caeli laetare, alleluia. At that hour rays of the afternoon sun were coming through the window; Fra Battista opened his eyes, saw the sun and passed away. He was soon in the presence of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit for all time.

Thirty concelebrants, friars, family mem-bers – sisters, nieces, nephews – and pil-grims attended the funeral Mass in the Mon-te Berico Basilica. Fra Ermes M. Ronchi, the Vicar Provincial, Fra Giovanni M. Sessolo, Prior of the Istituto Missioni Community and Fra Emilio M. Bedont from the Pietralba Community presided at the Mass. The Ser-vite Habit and a lectionary opened to the Let-ter of Paul to the Romans were laid on his coffin. White flowers surrounded the cata-falque. The liturgy of the Word emphasized the passage of death as an entry into the home prepared by God (I Cor 4, 16 – 5, 5) and commemorated Jesus washing his disci-ples‟ feet (John 13, 1-6 and 12-15).

Fra Ermes began the homily with a pray-er: “Fra Battista is coming to you, Lord, full of years and with our blessing. Welcome your friend, Battista, O Lord. Let there be lasting

peace for this son of yours who has served you and the brethren in your house, who has traveled the roads of this world with simplici-ty, grace, joy, generosity and peace. If he has suffered while with us, you now can wipe the tears from his face. And for the joy he has quietly given us you are now prepar-ing the banquet of the good, the banquet that knows no end.” Fra Ermes noted how unassuming and moving was the record of his life: his occupations – work and sacristan – represented the essence of life for all of us: work and prayer. His was a Gospel life, not preached but lived day by day – he was a living example of the Gospel. The words of Jesus accurately describe his life: I have not come to be served but to serve. He was one of those friars who lived out our name “Servants” in flesh and fact. His was a life of service to God, man and Our Lady – the La-dy who so loved and praised. Even now the rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows is in his hands.

The Prior Provincial, Fra Ferdinando M. Perri, was at a meeting in Fatima, Argentina and could not attend the service. He sent a message that asked us to “receive with grati-tude the spiritual legacy Fra Battista leaves us – the gift of his life .” Speaking directly to Fra Battista he said: “Thank you, Battista, for the humble and silent service you have pro-vided during your life. The Lord has certain-ly clothed you in light and now you live the fullness of life. Pray for us.”

His remains were laid to rest in the ceme-tery at Monte Berico – the priory where he had begun his life as a friar, Servant of Mary.

7. Fra Pietro M. Papini [ANN]

At noon on Thursday, June 3, 2010, Fra Pietro Maria Papini died in the Santissima Annunziata Priory in Florence. Fra Pietro was a solemn professed priest, a member of the Santissima Annunziata Province and the Monte Senario community.

Fra Pietro was born in Castiglion Fiorenti-no (Florence) on January 2, 1923, the son of Remigio Papini and Gina Forasassi, farmers, and was baptized that same day by his fa-ther‟s brother, Don Arcangelo Papini. He was confirmed on November 10, 1929 and went to middle school at the Servite commu-



nity of La Poggerina in Figline Valdarno (1935-1940). On August 23, 1940, he en-tered the novitiate at Monte Senario and one year later (September 2, 1941) made his simple profession. He continued his second-ary studies at Sette Santi Fondatori Priory in Florence (1941-1943) and at Figline Valdar-no (1943-1944). On December 7, 1944 he made his solemn profession at the Santissi-ma Annunziata in Florence. He began his theological studies in Florence and remained there until 1946 when he moved to St. Alexis Falconieri College in Rome. He was or-dained to the priesthood on March 27, 1948 in Rome.

From 1948 to 1967 he was a member of the community at the Santissima Annunziata in Florence. In the 1952 provincial chapter he was elected assistant pastor of the San-tissima Annunziata parish. and on Septem-ber 19, 1957, Fra Alfonso M. Montà, the Pri-or General, and his Council appointed Fra Pietro Master of Professed philosophy stu-dents at the Santissima Annunziata, an of-fice he held until 1967.

As Master of Professed Fra Pietro was a pastor to the young people in his care. In 1964 he wrote: “The professed are all well and happy; they listen to me and they follow me.” How great his suffering must have been when in 1967 he wrote to the Prior Pro-vincial: “For all these ten years I have worked sincerely and whole-heartedly. The sacrifice was easier to bear because the pro-fessed cooperated with me. Now things have changed … My withdrawal is not simp-ly a reaction, I believe the young people will be better off without me.”

From 1958 to 1964 he was a member of the Tuscan definitorium. From 1964 to 1970 he was the socius of two provincials: Fra Girolamo M. Casalini (+ 1982) and Fra Alfon-so M. Bottai (+1982). From 1967 to 1973 he was the Prior of Monte Senario and from 1970 to 1973 the Master of Novices. As master he made an effort to be both friend and pastor to the young people entrusted to his care. In 1969 the General Council ap-pointed him to the Capitular Commission on the Missions.

From 1973 to 1982 he was the Prior Pro-vincial and a member of the Santissima An-nunziata community. From 1982 to 1992 he

was the Prior of Monte Senario and during that time Senario became a place of encoun-ter for members of the Servite Family. He was then re-elected as Prior Provincial (1988-1991). During this term on behalf of the Tuscan Province he presented a detailed proposal for the General Chapter on the “possibility of the whole Order helping to support Monte Senario.”

Fra Pietro established a natural rapport with young people in formation, the friars of the Province, his community and everyone who sought him out in the sacristy or on the telephone. He was both strong and sensi-tive. He knew how to listen and how to instill courage and hope in those he met. He urged everyone to love each other and to do good for missionaries and the poor. He re-membered everyone in his constant prayers. He loved to point to the tabernacle and say: “be courageous, have faith, trust Him.” He would urge his hearers to abandon them-selves to the Lord.

Fra Pietro lived his whole religious life between the Mountain and the City. He was a faithful guardian of the memory of our Sev-en Fathers and of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Monte Senario and the Santissima Annun-ziata in Florence were the pastoral, histori-cal, territorial, diocesan and affectionate poles that formed the center of his life. His ideal was to repeat the service of our Holy Founders. In the Legenda de Origine (no. 2) we read that they (the Seven Fathers) left their followers and example of how life should be lived. Fra Pietro passed this ex-ample on to us. The Legenda tells us that this living tradition is the promise of a radiant future. Through his words of encourage-ment and the simple, friendly, brotherly way he listened to others communicated this hope to all he met.

During the last two years of his life he grew progressively weaker. On Good Fri-day, April 2, 2010, he underwent a delicate operation – he was one with the suffering Christ. On May 10th he came to the Annun-ziata infirmary in Florence and there he died on June 3rd, 2010.

Relatives, friars, sisters, Secular Order members, friends and benefactors attended his funeral on Saturday, June 5, in the Basili-ca of the Santissima Annunziata. Fra Sergio



M. Ziliani, the Prior Provincial presided. In speaking about Fra Pietro, the provincial drew a parallel between Mary‟s YES and Pietro‟s YES: both reflected total obedience, trust lived out as fraternal service – service especially to the most needy, the ability to be present at the infinite crosses of mankind, service which creates hope in the Risen Christ. After Mass Fra Pietro‟s remains were taken to Monte Senario where a liturgy of the Word was celebrated in St. Martin‟s chapel. Fra Pietro was laid to rest in the Monte Sen-ario cemetery.

8. Fra Stefano M. Papini [ANN]

On the morning of Monday, June 21, 2010, Fra Stefano M. Papini suffered cardi-ac arrest and died at our priory in Piggs Peak, Swaziland. Fra Stefano was a solemn professed Servite priest, a member of the Santissima Annunziata Province and the Regina Mundi community in Piggs Peak.

Fra Stefano was born in Siena on April 29, 1920, the son of Nazareno Papini and Rosa Moretti, and christened the following day. Because of his father‟s job the family moved to Monterubiaglio (Terni) in 1929 where Fra Stefano was confirmed in June, 1930.

He attended elementary and middle school in his home town and then in 1933 moved into the Sette Santi Fondatori priory in Florence for his high school studies. In the summer of 1936 he went to Monte Sen-ario to make his novitiate (September 27, 1936 – September 28, 1937). The novitiate ended with his simple profession. He then returned to Sette Santi Fondatori in Florence to study philosophy (October 1937 – June 1939). In October 1939 Fra Stefano went to St. Alexis Falconieri International College in Rome to study theology. He finished his studies in May 1943 and on April 24, 1943, was ordained to the priesthood during the Easter Vigil at St. John Lateran‟s in Rome.

Msgr. Constantine Barneschi, the Vicar Apostolic of Swaziland, had asked the Tus-can Province to send more friars to Africa. The Provincial Chapter met in May 1943 to decide who would go to Swaziland and Fra Stefano was one of those chosen. He went to Florence to await his departure but be-

cause of the war he had trouble getting a visa for Swaziland. Finally on February 2, 1948, Fra Stefano, Fathers Biondi and Rug-geri and three Pistoia Mantellate Sisters boarded the steamship “Toscana” in Venice and set sail for Africa. During his stay in Florence Fra Stefano studied English and took a course in medicine from the Knights of Malta.

On February 2, 1948 he arrived in Dur-ban, South Africa. After an adventurous train ride he reached St. Joseph Mission. In April, 1948 he was assigned to the commu-nity in Sulphur Spring, Transvaal. In April, 1949 he transferred to Mater Dolorosa Priory in Mbabane, the capital of Swaziland where he remained until 1972. Besides his apos-tolic work in the scattered mission stations of the region he set up a workshop for sewing and laundry. The workshop had two precise goals: helping Swazi women and providing income for the community.

In May 1972, Fra Stefano moved to Flor-ence Mission and stayed there until the mis-sion was closed in January, 2004. He then went to the Regina Mundi community in Piggs Peak where he remained until he passed away on June 21, 2010.

Fra Stefano loved Swaziland. He worked heart and soul for the good of the Swazi people. His concern was not just for their spiritual welfare but for their physical well-being as well. He devoted all his medical and technical ability to them. He was con-scientious about community life, celebrating the liturgy and making people feel welcome. He was careful and prudent in using our fi-nancial resources and cherished belonging to the Order of Servants of Mary. He kept in constant contact with his province and lost no opportunity to establish communities of the Secular Order.

From 1969 to 1976 and again from 1988 to 1991 he was appointed Vicar Provincial, an office he performed with fatherly charity. He was an eye-witness to the most beautiful events in the history of the Swazi Church: the transition from Apostolic Vicariate to Dio-cese in 1951; the first local vocations to the Order; establishing the local church. He wrote indelible pages in the history of the country.

He exhausted himself on behalf of the



people; he never asked what religion some-one belonged to. He brought the Good News to all and inspired hope in Divine Prov-idence. He depended on that Providence when faced with the overwhelming needs of the mission.

Fra Stefano made and cultivated close contacts with friars, sisters and lay people and did much to raise consciousness about the missions. He worked happily and in full communion with the Mantellate Sisters in Swaziland and everyone who worked for the good of the people – even those from other religions.

He lived his calling under the constant protection of Our Lady and spread love of and devotion to her everywhere. In spite of his age he continued his apostolic work in the mission stations and was tireless in visit-ing families especially those afflicted with poverty or sickness.

Examples would clarify how much Fra Stefano identified with Swaziland: the civil authorities conferred honorary Swazi citizen-ship on him; the local newspapers devoted a great deal of space to the fiftieth anniver-sary of his ordination and to his ninetieth birthday which occurred shortly before his death. For all intents and purposes Fra Stefano was a Swazi.

Death came to him early on the morning of June 21, 2010 as he was preparing for another workday. The sisters were worried that he hadn‟t come to morning prayer – they found him dead in his room with the breviary in his hand.

In accordance with Swazi tradition the funeral was celebrated in stages. There was a service in Manzini Cathedral on Friday, June 25th. Msgr. Louis M. Ndlovu, the Bish-op, presided. Priests, friars, sisters and lay people (even non-Catholics) were in attend-ance. All wanted to show their affection for Fra Stefano. He was buried in St. Joseph Cemetery on Saturday, June 26th. Again there were many in attendance. Fra Stefano‟s body now rests in that land he so loved, that land in which he had rejoiced and suffered, where he had found fulfillment as a Servant of Mary and a priest and where he comforted all the Lord sent his way.

9. Fra Columba M. (James) McManus [CAN]

At 2:30 in the afternoon on July 17, 2010,

Fra Columba M. McManus died in the long-term care facility in Memphrémagog, Magog, Canada. Fra Columba was a solemn pro-fessed Servite priest, a member of the Cana-dian Province and the community of Notre-Dame des Servites, Ayer’s Cliff; he was 75 years old and had been a religious for 55 years.

Fra Columba was born in Saint-Boniface, Manitoba, Canada on November 27, 1934, the son of John McManus and Helena Doyle . He was christened James at Holy Cross Parish, Norwood, Diocese of Saint-Boniface. He went to high school at St. Paul‟s College (1948-1950) and the Daniel McIntyre Institute (1950-1953) in Winnepeg. From 1952 to 1954 he studied music and French. His novitiate began on August 15, 1954, and ended on August 16, 1955. He went to study philosophy at the University of Ottawa (1955-1956) but because of his poor health he was assigned to Notre-Dame du Rosaire Priory in Winnipeg and continued his studies at Saint Boniface seminary (1956-1958). He made his solemn profession on August 16, 1959 in the Winnipeg community. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 17, 1962 in Notre-Dame du Rosaire parish church in Winnipeg.

Fra Columba‟s first assignment was at St. Anthony Priory in Ottawa (1962-1963); in 1963 he was a temporary replacement for the parish priest of St-Denis-de-Brompton. He then went to work in St-Majorique Parish in Gaspé (1964). From 1964 to 1967 he was a member of the community at Notre-Dame-de-Mont-Carmel in Montreal. In 1967 he joined the community at Our Lady of Sor-rows in Chicago (USA) and studied psychol-ogy at Loyola University. From 1969 to 1974 he was a member of the Senario Priory com-munity in Oak Park, Illinois. From 1974 to 1976 he was in recovery in Winnipeg. In 1976 he was appointed an assistant at Dol-lard-des-Ormeaux near Montréal and helped out in St-Luc parish. From 1979 to 1981 he worked in France: St-Yves and Issy-les-Moulineaux. He spent several months at the Abbey of Notre-Dame-du-Bec in Bec Hel-



louin, Normandy, France. He then returned to Quebec and entered the community at Notre-Dame-des-Servites where he re-mained until his death.

Fra Columba had a quick intelligence and understood situations intuitively. He was also an accomplished musician with a pleas-ant voice – he was adept at playing the clas-sics. His creativity found expression in origi-nal compositions. He produced two record albums of music and song. He accompa-nied himself on the guitar. During the 1960s he appeared in Montréal television programs as The Singing Priest.

He suffered from poor health for years. In June 2002 He entered a para-medical Insti-tute. Initially he lived with the Brothers of the Christian Schools in Quebec. In September of that same year he moved to Maison Ste-vens in Stanstead. In February 2006 he went to live in the long-term care facility at Memphrémagog in Magog. It was there that he died on July 17, 2010.

We must thank the Compassionist Servite Sisters for the constant care and attention they showed our confrère. His death was totally unexpected; only two days before the Prior Provincial had reported on Fra Colum-ba‟s health to the friars of the province.

His funeral was held in Saint-Barthélemy parish church in Ayer‟s Cliff. Fra Paul-André M. Mailhot, the Prior of Seven Holy Found-ers in Montréal-Nord, presided at the service and delivered the homily. Fra Columba‟s remains were laid to rest in the Notre-Dame-des-Servites cemetery in Ayer‟s Cliff. There he will await his entry into eternal life.

10. Fra Pellegrino M. (Cesio) Santucci [PRG]

After a few months of sickness, Fra Pelle-

grino (Cesio) M. Santucci died at 3:30 PM on July 24, 2010, in our priory of Santa Ma-ria dei Servi in Bologna. Fra Pellegrino was a solemn professed Servite priest, a member of the Piedmont-Romagna Province and a member of the Reggio Emilia community although he lived in Bologna.

Cesio Santucci was born in Monte Castel-lo in the diocese of Sarsina on January 9, 1921. At the age of 12 he entered the Ser-vite Order at Ronzano and began his sec-

ondary studies. He made his novitiate at Montefano in 1937 and made his simple pro-fession on September 4, 1938. He then went to Rome to continue his studies. On November 5, 1942 he made his solemn pro-fession and on July 9, 1944 he was ordained to the priesthood.

He returned to his province and spent the remainder of his religious life in the Bologna priory where he exercised the musical tal-ents he had exhibited since his years in for-mation. He attended the Conservatorio Mu-sicale di Pesaro and in 1949 was awarded a diploma as Maestro in Composizione. In Bologna he plunged into work with the Cap-pella Musicale Santa Maria dei Servi. While he was the director the Cappella was grant-ed the title “Archiepiscopal.” He taught com-position in several conservatories and was a distinguished composer. After the Council he composed Masses in Italian but not long afterwards he rejected what he considered musical aberrations and joined the ranks of the post-conciliar ultraconservatives.

He lived his life as a religious with com-mitment and righteousness. He had a strong personality and often found himself in conflict with his confrères, his community and the world around him. He was out-spoken in his religious and political opinions. Fra Pellegrino was certainly one of the great-est musical talents the Order has had in modern times: his talents expressed his own personal sentiments and those of his fellow Servants of Mary.

The Auxiliary Bishop of Bologna, Msgr. Ernesto Vecchi, presided at the funeral and preached the homily. He emphasized our brother‟s faith and life of service. Fra Pelle-grino‟s remains were laid to rest in the Monte Castello cemetery.

11. Fra Marcello M. (Salvatore) Pisanelli [ANN]

On Wednesday, July 28, 2010, Fra Mar-

cello Maria (Salvatore) Pisanelli suffered cardiac arrest and died in the provincial infir-mary at the Santissima Annunziata in Flor-ence. Fra Marcello was a solemn professed Servite priest, a member of the Santissima Annunziata Province and the community in Pistoia which has been aggregated to the




Santissima Annunziata community in Flor-ence.

Fra Marcello was born in Civitavecchia (Rome) on August 25, 1922, the son of Al-fredo Pisanelli and Elena Buggin and was baptized on October 7, 1922. He entered the Order at Nepi and on June 19, 1940, the feast of St. Juliana, he began his noviti-ate and was clothed in the Servite habit by Fra Lorenzo M. Lucatelli, the Prior Provin-cial. Fra Stefano M. Berardi was his novice master. On July 22, 1941 he made his sim-ple profession before Fra Lorenzo M. Lu-catelli. He made his solemn profession as a Servant of Mary before Fra Francesco M. Agostini, the Socius Provincial, on Septem-ber 17, 1944.

Beginning in 1935 Fra Marcello did all his studies at Nepi: middle school, high school, philosophy and theology. He com-pleted these studies in 1948. On October 28, 1947 he was ordained a subdeacon and on December 20 of that same year he was ordained a deacon. His Excellency, Msgr. Giuseppe Gori, the Bishop of Nepi-Sutri, ordained him to the priesthood on May 22, 1948.

After his studies, Fra Marcello was as-signed to the community of St. Philip Benizi in Todi where he remained until July 27, 1949. He was then sent to work in the par-ish of San Fiorenzo in Perugia. He re-mained in Perugia only a short time. On September 15, 1949 he was assigned to the community of Santa Liberata in Fran-cavilla al Mare. In July 1953 he was sent to San Marino where he stayed for four years. He then joined the community in Sant‟An-gelo in Vado. He returned to Todi in 1962. In 1967 he spent a few months in Ploaghe. On June 21, 1968 he was tranferred to Or-vieto and in 1970 he went once more to Francavilla al Mare where he remained for fifteen years – with a brief 9-month stay in Chieti Scalo. On November 15, 1985 he went to our community in Villa Gordiani, Rome where he stayed until that communi-ty closed. Subsequently he worked in Nepi and Ploaghe. In 1990 he moved to Pistoia where he remained until the summer of 2009 when because of his declining health he moved to the provincial infirmary.

He was an unusual man who was

strongly attached to his family and to the Order. Those who knew him for a long time would often speak of his “projects.” He was a man full of energy and imagina-tion who found it hard to stand still. In all his assignments Fra Marcello created cir-cles of friends he called his “clients.”

His many letters to superiors reveal a spirit of obedience and trust in his Prior Provincial.

In his last days sickness affected his mind and Fra Marcello would talk about a “journey” he had to take. Fra Sergio Ziliani, the Prior Provincial, spoke at his funeral in the Basilica of the Santissima Annunziata of Fra Marcello‟s life as a human and spir-itual journal that reflected a Gospel spirit and faith with all his own particular, human characteristics. The service was attended by friars from nearby communities, relatives and friends – above all from Pistoia. Fra Marcello‟s body was laid to rest in San Mar-tino cemetery on Monte Senario.

12. Fra Luciano M. (Narciso) Guidi [ANN]

On Friday, August 20, 2010, Fra Lucia-no Maria (Narciso) Guidi suffered cardiac arrest and died in the Santissima Annunzia-ta provincial infirmary. Fra Luciano was a solemn professed brother, a member of the Santissima Annunziata Province and the community of the Santissima Annunziata in Florence. He was the “Senior Ordinis” – the oldest living member of the Order.

Fra Luciano was born on October 10, 1912, the son of Aniceto Guidi and Mar-gherita Vezzoni in Pruno di Ponte Stazzeme, a locality in the Commune of Stazzema, Province of Lucca, Diocese of Pisa. As was the custom in those days he was baptized on the day of his birth. On September 15, 1920, the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, he was confirmed.

He attended elementary school in his home village. On October 28, 1933 he en-tered the Order as a candidate in the Lucca priory. In 1934 he was sent to Seven Holy Founders to study but his health was poor and so he was transferred to Marina di Car-rara. His health worsened and he was granted a leave of absence which he spent


with his family. Finally in 1939 he was able to return to the Order. After a few months spent in Pistoia he began his novitiate in the Sacred Priory of Monte Senario. He was clothed in the Servite habit by Fra Stanislao M. Mannelli, the Prior of Monte Senario. On May 4, 1941 he made his simple profession; he spent two months at the Santissima An-nunziata in Florence and then was assigned as a lay brother to the community in Pistoia. He remained in Pistoia until November 1943. He was then sent to Arezzo and shortly af-terwards (December 15, 1943) to Pisa. Be-cause the war was becoming more danger-ous he was sent home. At the end of the war he was assigned to our priory in Siena and made his solemn profession in the Basil-ica of San Clemente ai Servi in Siena on May 12, 1946. It is worth noting that all the important events of Fra Luciano‟s life took place during the month of May, the month traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. He was very devoted to Our Lady.

He stayed in Siena until 1952 during which time he carried out the very humble task of begging in the streets. He then moved to the Santissima Annunziata in Flor-ence on March 24, 1952. On the advice of his doctor he went to Pietralba in July 1955 and stayed there until October. It was thought that the mountain air would restore his health. He recovered somewhat from his lung ailments and was assigned to the Pisa Community. On July 15, 1958 he once more went to Monte Senario.

He remained on the holy mountain until 2004. His health deteriorated and he was assigned to the Siena Community – but there too his condition worsened so in 2006 he moved to the provincial infirmary at the Santissima Annunziata where he lived until 11:20 AM, August 20, 2010 when Sister Death came to him.

Fra Luciano was a simple man and a hard worker who managed to overcome his health problems and the hardships of old age. He often spoke of his two great “loves”: Siena and Monte Senario. At Senario he became the guardian of the Seven Holy Founders where his hospitality, humility and silence reflected their example. Visitors to Senario met Fra Luciano first who did every-thing to make the basilica a place of prayer,

a place where one encountered God, where one would be protected by Our Lady and where one could savor the company of our Seven Holy Fathers.

In the last years of his life he would often say, “my time has come.” When anyone mentioned to him that he was the “Senior Ordinis” he would look amazed but also pleased. Those who visited his room in the infirmary always found him with an open breviary or a rosary in his hands. His faith was unfailing. He was constantly seeking the presence of God and Our Lady. He of-ten prayed for vocations … he was like a grandfather concerned for his grandsons.

In his funeral homily at the Santissima Annunziata, Fra Sergio M. Ziliani, the Prior Provincial, applied the Gospel words to Fra Luciano: “Come ye blessed of my Father and receive the inheritance prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Mt 25, 34). The provincial spoke about Fra Luci-ano‟s human and spiritual life-journey. Among the many messages of condolence we received one was especially apt: “Let us praise those glorious men whole holy words and example have given birth to us in the Order” (Legenda de Origine, 1). The service was attended by friars from neighboring communities, sisters, members of the Ser-vite Family and friends. His body was then taken to San Martino Cemetery on Monte Senario to be buried.

13. Fra Giovanni M. Onini [PRG]

At 3:15 in the morning of September 7, 2010, Fra Giovanni Maria Onini died in Martini Hospital in Turin. Fra Giovanni was a solemn professed Servite priest, a member of the Piedmont-Romagna Province and the San Pellegrino Community in Turin.

He was born in Turin on February 28, 1928 and entered the Order as a postulant in Rivoli in 1939. He began his novitiate at Saluzzo on August 6, 1944 and made his simple profession on August 12, 1945. He made his solemn profession on April 28, 1949 and was ordained to the priesthood on March 19, 1951.

After ordination he was sent to Rivoli to work with the Order‟s postulants and to teach literature – something at which he was



especially talented. In 1954 he was sent to San Carlo parish in Turin but was not at ease working downtown. He was trans-ferred to San Pellegrino parish on the out-skirts of the city – San Pellegrino had 30,000 parishioners. While stationed at San Pelle-grino he worked with Catholic Action, the Boy Scouts and mission groups. In 1967 he was given more responsibility as the pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows parish (Pilonetto) in Turin where he was loved by everyone.

Fra Giovanni held several positions of responsibility in the Order: Provincial Coun-cilor, Socius Provincial and Prior Provincial (1979-1982). After his term as provincial he was appointed pastor in Marina di Massa where he remained for ten years. In 1992 he returned to San Pellegrino and re-established links he had created so many years before as a young priest. He began as assistant pastor working with the Boy Scouts and eventually became the pastor (1994-1997). To the extent his declining health allowed he continued to do his share of the work at San Pellegrino right up to the end.

He was a friar one could depend on. He worked well with young people and estab-lished lasting bonds of friendship and frater-nity with a broad circle of people. In one of his poems he wrote: “ho lasciato ben poco, però in fratelli e sorelle m’hai dato ben più di quanto avevi proclamato” [I leave very little behind me but you have given me many more brothers and sisters than you prom-ised.] Fra Giovanni wrote poetry in both Ital-ian and the Piedmontese dialect; several small books of his poetry in both languages were published. His sensitivity and sense of humor shine through the poems. Both these qualities stayed with him all his life. In his last days he talked about an imaginary con-versation with St. Peter: “chissà se mi aprirai subito le porte oppure se mi farai aspet-tare” [who knows if you‟ll open the gates to me immediately or if you‟ll make me wait].

His funeral was held on September 9, 2010 in San Pellegrino parish church in Tu-rin. The Prior Provincial and many friars from the communities of the Piedmont-Romagna Province, as well as old friends, and Boy Scouts of different ages were pre-sent. His remains were laid to rest in the

Servite Chapel in the Saluzzo (Cuneo) cem-etery.

14. Fra Giulio M. (Michele) Signori [VEN]

On Monday morning, September 20,

2010, Fra Giulio Maria (Michele) Signori died at the Casa Perez in Negrar, Verona. Fra Giulio was a solemn professed Servite Priest, a member of the Venetian Province and the community of Istituto Missioni di Monte Berico in Vicenza.

Fra Giulio was born in San Pietro di Rosà (the birthplace of so many Servite vocations) on May 2, 1917. He was christened Michele four days later in the village church.

He began his journey in the Order at Folli-na in 1931. He entered the novitiate on July 26, 1936 at Isola Vicentina and made his simple profession the following year. Three years lager he made his solemn profession in St. Alexis community in Rome where he was studying theology. He finished his stud-ies in 1943 and was ordained to the priest-hood on April 24 that same year.

He lived in various Venetian Province priories Italy – he taught literature and math-ematics at the Order‟s seminaries in Follina, Udine, Istituto Missioni Monte Berico, Ma-donna di Tirano and Rovato.

Fra Giulio held positions of responsibility in the province: Provincial Treasurer, Coun-cilor, Rector and Prior Provincial (1967-1970) – a very important time when the Con-stitutions were being revised (1968). Fra Giulio took part and represented many of the friars of his province in the Madrid General Chapter where the new Constitutions were approved.

Together with other members of the Or-der Fra Giulio worked in the Nomadelfia Pro-ject initiated by Don Zeno Saltini. The Pro-ject took care of war orphans.

He also lived and worked in Province pri-ories in the Apostolic Vicariate of Aysén (Chile): he was twice Prior in Coyhaique (1971 and 1980) and twice Prior in Puerto Aysén (1977 and 1992). He was pastor in Chile Chico (1980) and Puerto Aguirre (1982). In 1977 he took responsibility for building the priory at Puerto Aysén and in 1980 he was in charge of construction of the




new Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Coyhaique. He spent two years (1995-1996) at Santa Bernardita Priory in the cap-ital, Santiago.

For two years in the 1980s he acted as Provincial Delegate in South Africa, in Ni-gel. He then returned to Chile – a country he very much liked. He worked with the Chilean people willingly and joyfully. Dur-ing his time in Chile he worked on translat-ing the Bible from Greek: he completed al-most the whole New Testament, some sev-enty Psalms, the Prophet Amos and the Song of Songs.

At the age of 80 he left the Chilean mis-sion, a place he always thought of with great affection. His work was much appre-ciated by his Servite confrères and the peo-ple he served in Aysén. His pastoral work was inspired by the Second Vatican Coun-cil and in line with the directives of the Latin American episcopate. He lived a modest and frugal life – nothing in his life-style was different from the humble people he served.

About his years in Chile he wrote in Le Missioni dei Servi di Maria: “Nostalgia? I weep! It was painful to leave the mission in Chile. Sickness forced me to return to Italy after twenty-six years of work in the mis-sions.”

After his return to Italy he lived in the communities of Rovato (1996-1998), Isola Vicentina (1998-2003) and Istituto Missioni di Monte Berico (2003-2008). Old age and declining health forced him to move to a convalescent home: Casa Perez in Negrar (October 2008). Death came to Fra Giulio in the night between Sunday, September 19th and Monday the 20th, 2010. He had lived a long life: he was 93 years old, a reli-gious for 74 years and a priest for 67.

Fra Giulio‟s brothers were also Servite missionaries: Norberto died in Nigel, South Africa in 1992 and Michele who died in Be-noni, South Africa in 1998. His sister, Tere-sa, was a Mantellate Servite Sister of Pisto-ia whose religious name was Edgarda. She was a missionary in Swaziland and died in Saluzzo in 2000.

Fra Ferdinando M. Perri, the Prior Pro-vincial presided at his funeral. There were two coffins – Fra Alessio M. Zanollo died on Tuesday, September 21. Forty concele-

brants gathered around the altar. There were friars from the communities of the Province, diocesan priests, relatives, friends and pilgrims in the Basilica of Monte Berico that Thursday morning (September 23, 2010). Fra Giulio‟s remains were laid to rest in the priory cemetery at Monte Berico.

15. Fra Alessio M. (Danilo) Zanollo [VEN]

On Tuesday morning, September 21, 2010, Fra Alessio Maria (Danilo) Zanollo died at the Casa Perez in Negrar, Verona. Fra Giulio was a solemn professed Servite Brother, a member of the Venetian Prov-ince and the community of Istituto Missioni di Monte Berico in Vicenza.

Fra Alessio was born in Castel Dario (Mantua) on Christmas Day, 1924. On January 22, he was christened Danilo in his parish church. He entered the novitiate at Isola Vicentina on November 21, 1953 and made his simple profession on February 2, 1954. He made his solemn profession on February 2, 1957.

Because of his late age (28) he entered the Order as what was then known as a “lay” brother – that band of strong, hard-working, humble and proud men who wore the same Servite habit as the other friars in the community.

He lived and worked both in sanctuary communities: Monte Berico (1955-1961 and 1987-2008); Pietralba (1970-1972); and in parishes: Milan/San Siro (1961-1964 and 1967-1970); Trieste (1972-1976); Milan/San Carlo (1976-1982); Follina (1982-1983); Venice (1985-1987). He also worked in free-lance pastoral work in city centers: Verona (1964-1967 and 1983-1985).

In June 2006 he moved into the Perez Rest Home in Negrar where he lived his final years with great patience. Because of his poor hearing he was often silent but always smiling. He would think with pleas-ure of Our Lady of Monte Berico.

Early on the morning of September 21, 2010 death came to him in Don Calabria Hospital in Negrar. He had been in the hospital some ten days because of the rap-id decline in his health and was looked after



by his brother Dario and his sister-in-law Nella.

Fra Alessio lived for 86 years and was a Servite Brother for 58 years.

Fra Ferdinando M. Perri, the Prior Pro-vincial presided at his funeral. There were two coffins – Fra Giulio M. Signori had died on Monday, September 20. Forty concele-brants gathered around the altar. There were friars from the communities of the Province, diocesan priests, relatives, friends and pilgrims in the Basilica of Monte Berico that Thursday morning (September 23, 2010).

During the service Fra Giovanni M. Ses-solo had this to say about Fra Alessio: “Dear Brother Alessio, you were a true brother: humble, poor, eager to help, pru-dent, without guile, a man of constant pray-er. From morning to night your life reflect-ed your sincere devotion to Our Lady, the woman of sorrows and the woman of glory, whom you recognized as a loving mother who looked after you all your life and gave meaning and dignity to your work.” In com-pliance with the wishes of his relatives Fra Alessio‟s remains were laid to rest in the Servite mausoleum in Verona.

16. Fra Giovanni M. (Manlio) Pressacco [VEN]

On Saturday evening, October 9, 2010, the community was gathered at table for supper. Without saying a word, Fra Gio-vanni Maria (Manlio) Pressacco, bowed his head and died. Fra Giovanni was a sol-emn professed Servite brother, a member of the Venetian Province and the communi-ty of San Carlo in Milan.

He was born in Turrida di Sedegliano (Udine) on September 24, 1921, the son of Giovanni and Anna Pressacco. He was christened Manlio on October 2, that same year. He entered our Order while still very young. He started his novitiate at Isola Vi-centina (Vicenza) on January 15, 1938 and made his simple profession on January 23, 1939. On December 8, 1942 (feast of the Immaculate Conception) he consecrated himself to God and the Blessed Virgin with solemn vows in the Priory of Our Lady of Grace in Udine.

He moved from Udine to Our Lady of Sorrows Priory in Pietralba (Bolzano) where he lived for three years (1943-1946). These were war years, years of great sacri-fice. He served his brethren with youthful generosity and frequently at danger to him-self.

He often told how he was sent to San Carlo in Milan to help the community for a fortnight. But he remained there from Feb-ruary 21, 1946 until his death. He was the sacristan in the Basilica of San Carlo – the city‟s shrine to the great Bishop (Charles Borromeo) who, along with St. Ambrose, was the patron of Milan. He served this church faithfully for 64 years. Who knows how many people passed through his life during these many years; how many cere-monies he prepared, how many needy peo-ple he saw praying at the image of Our La-dy of Sorrows or the tomb of Blessed John Angelo Porro – how many people he prayed for over the years.

Immediately after his death his body was taken to his room. The members of the community gathered around him and prayed for their beloved brother. The fol-lowing day his body was taken into the church. Both the friars and his many ac-quaintances and friends prayed at his bier.

The funeral service was held on October 11. Fra Ferdinando M. Perri, the Prior Pro-vincial, and friars from nearby communities, relatives and a large number of local peo-ple were present for the ceremony. Fra Ermes M. Ronchi, the Prior of San Carlo, presided at the Mass. Fra Ermes was – like Fra Giovanni – from Friuli. In his homi-ly he emphasized the grandeur of Fra Gio-vanni‟s life, a life spent in service. “[Fra Giovanni] passed through our house like an angel: hard-working, silent and faithful […] the community blesses you: you loved our house, evidence of your hard-work is ap-parent everywhere, the doors, the candles … you knew all the secrets of our house; they were living memories for you. You mark the end of a generation of friars we will not see again […] That Saturday you left us we clung to your hands – we didn‟t want to see you go. Our affection and tears wouldn‟t let you go but you slipped from our arms into those of God. It was a



gentle departure. It was like a boat that had finally found the current it was seeking. What did Fra Giovanni achieve in his al-most ninety years of work? Small but gen-uine accomplishments. He used to say that the day he entered the Order the prior gave him two things: a rosary and a broom. And he has not let go of them since then. They represented his path to holiness. The same work day after day for sixty-five years in this church. He opened and closed our doors thousands of times. Small, humble gestures: the small change of daily life – nothing extravagant; but these small ges-tures were a sign of greater things … Gio-vanni loved this church with all his heart just as he loved Our Lady with all his heart. His life was a success. Dostoyevsky tells us that success in life is “to love the things you do and to do the things you love.” Fra Giovanni‟s life reflected the Gospel. He came to the Order to serve and not to be served. He felt no need for power, pres-tige, applause or praise – he felt the need to be genuine, and to live close to Our Lady and the brethren. All he needed was a church, a rosary and a broom.”

Fra Giovanni‟s body was taken to his home town Turrida di Sedegliano where a second Funeral Mass was celebrated on October 12 at 10 AM. The church was full – local parishioners and confrères from Mi-lan and Udine – and the Dean, Msgr. Ivan Bettuzzi, Parish Priest of Codroipo, presid-ed. Fra Giovanni‟s body was laid to rest in the cemetery in Turrida (Udine) in a mauso-leum devoted to all the priests and religious who came from the town.

17. Fra Carlo M. Turati [VEN]

On Thursday, October 14, 2010, Fra Carlo Maria Turati died during the night in his community. He did not suffer much and passed away silently and unexpectedly – this was his style: he was a slight but es-sential friar. Fra Carlo was a solemn pro-fessed Servite priest, a member of the Ve-netian Province and the community of Isti-tuto Missioni di Monte Berico in Vicenza. From March 30 to July 9, 2009, he had been a patient in the Perez Rest Home in Negrar (Verona) his health improved and

he returned to his community at Istituto Missioni di Monte Berico.

Fra Carlo was born in Romanò d‟Inveri-go in Ambrosian Brianza, Como province, on October 16, 1922 and two days later he was baptized in the parish church.

At the age of 18 he entered the Servite novitiate at Isola Vicentina on August 7, 1940 and the following year he made his simple profession. Four years later, on Christmas Day, 1944, he made his solemn profession in the Monte Berico Basilica - a solemn, life-long commitment to the Lord to live as a religious under the protection of the Mother of God.

After studying theology at St. Alexis Col-lege in Rome, he was ordained to the priesthood on March 27, 1948.

That same year he sailed for the mis-sions in South Africa where he would re-main for forty-five years. The Venetian Pri-or Provincial, Fra Alfonso M. Benetti, had opened a mission in Transvaal in 1935. The Servite South African mission looked after white people in the cities and blacks in the suburbs or at locations in the country-side.

Fra Carlo‟s missionary apostolate was carried out in several of these mission cen-ters.

He worked at Our Lady of Grace church in Heidelberg, the first Servite community (April 25, 1935) and was prior and pastor (1958-1967).

He then went to Nigel where the Servite community and church were the only center for the small Catholic community. Fra Car-lo was put in charge of the missions and appointed their historian (1970-1977). His primary sphere of activity was in the small Alra Park location and the larger location of Ratanda where he was pastor of Seven Holy Founders church (1970-1977). Mis-sion work in those remote areas involved teaching catechism and administering the sacraments. Because of apartheid whites could not live among blacks. Consequently Fra Carlo had to drive back to his priory every night.

In Meyerton on the outskirts of Johan-nesburg, there was a modern church, a priory and halls that provided a meeting place for Italians in the city. Here too Fra



Carlo was the prior and pastor. Fra Carlo worked at Monte Berico Mis-

sion in Nikosikazy Yoxolo Community where there was a novitiate in 1980. The surrounding area was inhabited by Indians (Coloreds – in the South African system).

He left Nigel to return to Italy in 1993 where he became a member of the San Carlo community in Milan. During his years in the missions Fra Carlo shared the joys and sufferings of the people he served. He lived in the Milan San Carlo community un-til 2009.

Fra Ferdinando M. Perri, the Prior Pro-vincial, presided at the Funeral Mass in the Monte Berico Basilica. There were 36 con-celebrants. Friars from nearby communi-ties, relatives and pilgrims attended the ser-vice. In his homily he addressed Fra Carlo with these words: “Today would have been your eighty-eighth birthday.” He empha-sized our brother‟s quiet demeanor: “You said little, but you lived much. If what is done is enlightened by a life of authenticity it is much more important than what is said. Fra Carlo often said „words disappear but example remains, acts, overcomes and gives glory to God.‟”

That same afternoon another service was held in St. Michael the Archangel Church in Romanò d‟Inverigo. The Vicar, Don Alberto Busnelli presided. He was joined by Servites from Milan and Sotto il Monte, along with relatives and local peo-ple including the Mayor, Alberto Bartesaghi and the Assistant Mayor, Angelo Riboldi, representing the city government. At the request of his relatives his body was laid to rest in his hometown cemetery.

18. Fra Agostino M. (Giuseppe) Rizzotto [VEN]

A youthful and energetic friar. Shortly after dawn on Saturday, October 16, 2010, at Casa Perez in Negrar (Verona) Fra Ago-stino Maria (Giuseppe) Rizzoto bowed his head and quietly brought his earthly life to a close. Fra Agostino was a solemn pro-fessed Servite priest, a member of the Ve-netian Province and the Santissima Annun-ziata community in Rovato, Brescia. He had been a teacher in Argentina, Uruguay

and Italy. He suffered from painful and in-termittent sickness for years and was 87 years old when he died.

He was born in San Lazzaro, a borough of Treviso on June 7, 1923 and baptized in the parish church on July 1. He entered our minor seminary in Follina at the age of 14. He made his novitiate in Isola Vicenti-na (1942-1943) at the end of which he made his simple profession and became a friar, Servant of Mary. He made his solemn profession on October 13, 1946. Fra Ago-stino studied philosophy and theology in Udine and at Monte Berico in Vicenza. On June 29, 1950 he was ordained to the priesthood. This year he celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of his ordination with his classmates.

He spent only a year in Italy after ordi-nation, at Madonna di Tirano (1951-1952) where he did youth work and played the organ. He would later return to Valtellina for a year (1970-1971) as the director of the Casa del Fanciullo (House of the Child). He was sent as a missionary – this was the term we used in those days – to Latin America. He worked in two capital cities on the Plata river: Montevideo (1952-1957 and 1964-1969) and Buenos Aires (1958-1964). He returned to Argentina to Quilmes on the outskirts of Buenos Aires for a year in 2001-2002. In Uruguay he established a youth group, directed the choir and played the organ. He was also the principal and presi-dent of the Regina Martyrum High school. In Argentina he was a parish priest and or-ganist and the founder of Mater Dei High School. He would recall with pride and nostalgia those youthful days of service on the other side of the world.

Back in Italy he worked in the parish communities of Trieste (1969-1970; 1976-1985; 1991-2000) where he was pastor (1978-1982) and prior (1991-2000). He was a member of the community at San Carlo in Milan (1971-1972), the pastor and prior in Follina (1972-1976), a member of the community in Venice (1985-1989) and the prior (2003-2006). He lived in the Mes-tre (1989-1991) and Rovato (2006-2010) communities too. All this time he taught religion in state schools and worked on the radio: Radiocarpini in Mestre and Radiodi-



ocesana in Trieste. We have dozens of recordings of his programs.

He moved into the house in Negrar after spending a few months at the Istituto Mis-sioni in Monte Berico (February 17 to July 16, 2010).

On June 23, 2010 for the sixtieth anni-versary of his ordination, Vita Nuova, the Trieste diocesan weekly wrote: “Fra Agosti-no was an impassioned and successful teacher of young people. What made him so attractive was his unfailing good humor and his ability to preach the Gospel with a smile, a joke and human immediacy. Fra „Ago‟ was an extrovert – always outgoing. He was the direct opposite of the sad, dis-couraging and glum Christian preacher. He was the standard bearer of open, fraternal and cheerful Christian witness.

Even in old age Fra Agostino thought of himself as young. He understood the young and would approach them with jokes and speak a language that was human, simple and direct. He loved contact with young people and would often write letters; he encouraged them to keep a diary. He listened to what they had to say and found the meaning of life in the light of the Holy Spirit. He inspired confidence in everyone.

Apart from his frequent jokes Fra Agosti-no could sometimes seem remote – his hearing was poor. His interventions in community chapters were always serious. His homilies were fervent and enthusiastic. He had a strong voice and an impressive style of speaking. He often said: “homilies should be specific, precise and comprehen-sible.” He sometimes left written copies of his sermons on the table at the back of the church. He loved singing and music and was always willing to play the organ when asked.

He reminisced with pleasure about his time teaching religion, working with young people, working on local radio and his ef-forts to evangelize and make the world aware of the problems of young people.

His funeral was held at Monte Berico on October 18, 2010. He was called a “traveling friar” – he had lived in so many different priories. Fra Ferdinando M. Perri, the Prior Provincial, noted his qualities as “an educator and teacher of young people.

Wherever he lived he became the confi-dante of young people, their spiritual father. He did so much to bring young people to the Gospel.” His mortal remains were laid to rest in the Vicenza City Cemetery in the Servite vault.

19. Fra Aldo M. Lazzarin [VEN]

On Saturday October 16, 2010 at 10:45 AM after much suffering Father Aldo Maria Lazzarin Stella’s earthly life came to an end in the Don Calabria Hospital in Negrar. He was 83 years old and had spent his life working for the Kingdom of God and his brothers and sisters in the faith. His illness had been brief but debilitating. Fra Aldo had been a Servant of Mary for 68 years and at the end he was surrounded by his religious confrères. During his life time he had been a teacher, General Councilor, Prior Provincial, Titular Bishop of Tigisi in Numidia, Vicar Apostolic Emeritus of Ay-sén, Chile, a member of the Venetian Prov-ince and the community of Our Lady of Grace in Udine.

Fra Aldo was born in Selva di Volpago (Treviso) on December 13, 1926. He did his secondary studies in St. Joseph Minor Seminary in Follina. On August 15, 1943, he entered the novitiate at Isola Vicentina and one year later made his simple profes-sion.

He continued his studies in Udine (1943-1946) and studied theology at St. Alexis College in Rome (1946-1950). He made his solemn profession on October 10, 1948 and was ordained to the priesthood on April 8, 1950.

On his return to the province he was appointed prior and master of postulants at Follina (1950-1955). After a brief stay in Udine he was sent to Monte Berico as Mas-ter of Professed. He was a member of the provincial council (1955-1964) and the prior and master of postulants at the Istituto Missioni di Monte Berico (1958-1964).

He spent twelve years in Rome: Master of the Formation Community at St. Alexis (1964-1966); and member of the General Council (1965-1975). He lived in San Mar-cello from 1966 to 1976. In that year he resigned as a General Councilor because



he had been elected the prior provincial of the Venetian Province, an office he held for six years.

From 1982 to 1989 he lived in the for-mation community in Fatima (Argentina). His work in Latin America was very much appreciated. His work, word and activity did much to make the Servites part of that world – especially in the Cono Sur.

On June 16, 1989, Pope John Paul II appointed him the Vicar Apostolic of Aysén, Chile and the Titular Bishop of Tigisi in Nu-midia (Algeria). On August 13, 1989 he was consecrated a bishop in the cathedral at Coyhaique. His predecessor, Father Bernardo M. Cazzaro, the Archbishop of Puerto Montt and Msgr. Carlos Gonzales, the Bishop of Talea concelebrated at the consecration. His episcopal motto – Res-pice Stellam – recalled his mother‟s maiden name (Stella) and was a sign of his devo-tion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

His pastoral service did much to strengthen the young church of Aysén. His leadership was simple and collegial; it brought people to the Gospel.

His pastoral letters reveal the direction in which he led the church of Aysén and are still relevant: Where Is Your Brother (1990); And You, Who Do You Say I am? (1992); I Am Sending You Out Two by Two (1993); Living and Dynamic Ecclesial Com-munities (1996); Take and Eat: This Is My Body (1997).

On August 10, 1997, he informed the Prior General of the health problems he was encountering. He had already ten-dered his resignation as Vicar Apostolic of Aysén to the Vatican Secretariat of State and was waiting for its acceptance by the Holy See. The Pope accepted his resigna-tion on June 19, 1998.

After two years in Coyhaique and Puerto Aysén (1998-2002) he returned to Italy. Initially he lived at the Istituto Missioni (2002-2003) and then moved to Udine. At the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Grace Father Aldo spent most of his time administering the sacrament of reconciliation, praying privately and joining in the community‟s prayer. These years were a synthesis of his entire life as a master of students and a pastor.

On July 24, 2010 Father Aldo suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and was paralyzed. He was taken to Don Calabria Hospital in Negrar on September 17.

His funeral service was held in the Mon-te Berico Basilica at 11 AM on Monday, October 18th . There were other services on the following day: in his hometown at 11 AM and in Udine at 3:30 PM. Father Aldo M. Lazzarin Stella was laid to rest in the Servite mausoleum in the Udine cemetery.

Father Bernardo M. Cazzaro presided at the Mass celebrated at Monte Berico. There were forty concelebrants including the Vicar General of Vicenza Msgr. Ludovi-co Furian, the Prior General Fra Ángel M. Ruiz Garnica, the Prior Provincial Fra Fer-dinando M. Perri, Servites, priests from Vi-cenza and Father Aldo‟s nephew, Don Re-nato Martini, a Consolata Missionary. Fam-ily members, friends and pilgrims attended the service. In his homily, Father Bernardo reminisced about his confrère, Father Aldo. “We knew each other for 73 years. I will never forget my first meeting with him when we were both boys in 1937. Even then his face was calm and smiling, eager to conse-crate his life as a Servant of Mary. He had just come to San Giuseppe in Follina to begin middle school. I had arrived the pre-vious year. Since that time our lives as stu-dents, religious, priests and missionary bishops in Chile were linked. The years we spent together in Rome were especially memorable. The education we received was solid - especially from our mentor, Fa-ther Andrea M. Cecchin. The years after our return to the province were a time of hard work and joy – educating young peo-ple. And then obedience separated us. I went to Chile as the Bishop Vicar Apostolic in Aysén. Aldo remained in Italy and took on important jobs in the Order: General Councilor and Prior Provincial of the Lom-bard-Venetian Province. Later he joined me in Chile – he too was a bishop now, my successor as Apostolic Vicar of Aysén. I had the honor to preside at his episcopal ordination in Coyhaique. We worked to-gether in the Chilean Bishops‟ Conference and in the ecclesiastical province of Puerto Montt – the southernmost in the world. A few days before his death I administered



the sacrament of anointing in the Don Ca-labria Hospital in Negrar.”

Fra Ferdinando M. Perri, the Prior Pro-vincial, had this to say about him: “Father Aldo was respected and loved by all the friars. He was one who listened: never up-set but gentle, kind and sensitive.” The provincial emphasized the qualities that marked his life as a friar and as a bishop: humility, respect for others and collegiality.

The prior of the Udine community de-scribed Father Aldo as “the master of sim-plicity, truth, poverty, mercy, prayer, devo-tion to Our Lady, humility, common life, obedience, genuine and authentic spirituali-ty, and holiness.”

20. Fra Costanzo M. (Danilo) Simoni [VEN]

Death came suddenly and unexpectedly

to Fra Costanzo Maria (Danilo) Simoni on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at 9:05 AM. He suffered a cardio-circulatory col-lapse in the geriatric section of the Vicenza Hospital. The night before he had gone to the emergency room and had been trans-ferred to the geriatric section. Only the pre-vious Friday he had spent hours in the emergency room.

Our brother was born in Fontanelle (Treviso) on October 16, 1923 and chris-tened Danilo Vito on November 4. He en-tered San Giuseppe Minor Seminary in Fol-lina in 1938. He began his novitiate at Isola Vicentina on August 15, 1942 and was giv-en the name Costanzo Maria. He made his simple profession on August 23, 1943 and his solemn profession on October 13, 1946 at Monte Berico. He studied philosophy at Udine (1942-1946) and theology at St. Alexis College in Rome (1946-1949). On December 17, 1949 he was ordained to the priesthood in Rome.

Even before ordination Fra Costanzo expressed the desire to be a missionary in Africa and one year after ordination he was sent to Transvaal (South Africa) where the Venetian Province had opened a mission in 1935. From 1948 until 1991 the Apartheid regime was operating in South Africa: racial separation laws made our friars‟ apostolic work especially difficult. Ministry was divid-

ed between pastoral work in the cities among whites and work among blacks on the outskirts of town or in “locations” in the bush. Whites and Blacks were terms used at that time and in that place. During the 51 years of his service in Transvaal (1951-2002) Fra Costanzo worked among Italian immigrants in Kensington, Johannesburg and Nigel. He shared the joys and set-backs , hopes and disappointments of those times.

In January 2002 he asked the Prior Pro-vincial, Fra Antonio M. Santini, for permis-sion to return to Italy. He wrote: “I feel the need to withdraw … to have time to think … to ask God‟s forgiveness … to prepare my-self for the final examination. The Prior Provincial answered him: “I want to thank you personally and on behalf of the friars of the Province for your many years of frater-nal example and devotion to the priestly ministry in Africa. In spite of the many great and sad things that have occurred during these years you have always sought the path and light of the Lord.”

Fra Costanzo was our last “missionary” in the Transvaal. His death marks the end of the Venetian Province commitment to that region.

Once back in Italy Fra Costanzo lived in the Follina comunity (2002-2009). He spoke with satisfaction about one of his activities there: “meetings at which I give talks not so much about culture as about fundamental Christian topics”. His talks were typed and fill thirty-six volumes.

Since November 26th of the previous year Fra Costanzo was living in the recov-ery community at the Istituto Missioni (Vicenza). He suffered and was patient; he continued to receive visitors seeking en-couragement, comfort, words of cheer, rec-onciliation and a blessing.

Fra Costanzo was a Servant of Mary. He cultivated a tender devotion to Our Lady and tried to pass this devotion on to others; he strove to make the Gospel real as she did.

At 11 AM on November 11, a funeral liturgy was celebrated in the Monte Berico Basilica. Fra Ferdinando M. Perri presided and was accompanied by 26 concele-brants. Relatives, friends and confrères



attended the service. In the homily Fra Ferdinando quoted Fra Costanzo‟s com-ment on I Thess 5, 14-25 (the first reading): “May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, soul and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will accom-plish it.” Fra Costanzo wrote: “It is the Lord who works; it is the Lord who fulfills this promise; it is the Lord who unites and gives life, strength, power to all that exists. The Lord is faithful to his promises. Humans came forth from the hand of God as living beings, harmonious, complete and united in themselves without division or fragmenta-tion.” “In the strength of this conviction, Fra Costanzo was committed to renewing the image of man as a living being according to the Biblical insight. In his life and aposto-late he respected every individual as a con-secrated temple of the Holy Spirit.” The Gospel reading was the beatitudes (Mt 5, 1-12). “The first beatitude „Blessed are the poor‟ was the cornerstone of Fra Cos-tanzo‟s life and apostolate – it synthesizes all the other beatitudes.”

“And the word that summarizes Cos-tanzo‟s life is blessing. He said: “God blesses life. Man blesses the Lord for the gift of life. The Lord God blesses every man to whom he gives life and entrusts with a special mission.” Many came to Fra Costanzo for a special blessing and he was happy to give it. At 3 PM that same day another funeral liturgy was celebrated in the Follina Abbey. At his express wish Fra Costanzo‟s body was laid to rest in the Fol-lina cemetery.

21. Fra Francis M. (Francis Joseph) Christie [AUS/USA]

Fra Francis Mary (Francis Joseph)

Christie died on Tuesday, November 23rd 2010 at the Hollywood Hospital, Perth, Western Australia. He was surrounded by family members who had come all the way from Ireland to be with him. One of our fri-ars had spent the whole day with him and had just left. Fra Francis (Frank) was a solemn-professed friar and priest, a son of the United States Province and a member

of the Servite Delegation of Australia. Frank was born in Dublin on September

12, 1927 and went to primary and second-ary school there. The secondary school was the Irish language college, Colaiste Mhuire. Frank entered the Order of the Servants of Mary at Our Lady of Benburb Priory, in County Tyrone. He made his no-vitiate and studied philosophy at Benburb and then went to the Servite International College in Rome for theology. Later he was awarded a Masters Degree in Counseling at Loyola University, Chicago. He was or-dained to the priesthood in St Patrick‟s Ca-thedral, Armagh, on July 8th 1956.

His ministry was varied: he served the Order and the Church in Kwazulu and Zulu-land in South Africa; in Chicago, Portland, California and Colorado in the United States before coming to Australia.

He began his work in the Archdiocese of Perth in 1981. He was the Parish Priest at St Denis‟ in Joondanna, worked in St An-thony‟s Parish in Wannneroo and as a chaplain at St John of God Hospital, Royal Perth Hospital and at Graylands Hospital – his last assignment.

He didn‟t say much about his hospital work but others spoke highly of his profes-sionalism, pastoral zeal and the sensitive way he related to staff and patients. It was during his chaplaincy work that he had a chance to practice his counseling skills.

Frank was a very spiritual man but didn‟t make a big thing of it… he just quietly went about his day. His day would start at mid-day with a quick lunch and a look at the newspaper. In the afternoon he would do paper work until it was time for community prayer before dinner. After dinner he would retire to the chapel and pray the rosary be-fore Mass. Later he would play and listen to classical music until the early hours of the morning.

In the last few days of his life he would talk, laugh and joke with his family and the friars. He accepted his situation with peace and dignity. When the pancreatic cancer overcame him he would say “… time to go home.”

Father Frank‟s funeral was held at St Denis‟ Church, Joondanna, Western Aus-tralia. He was laid to rest in the Servite



burial plot in Pinneroo Valley Memorial Park Cemetery, in Padbury, Perth. May he rest in peace.

22. Fra Luigi M. (Cosimo) De Vittorio [ANN]

Fra Luigi M. (Cosimo) De Vittorio suf-

fered a heart attack and was taken to the Versilia Hospital in Viareggio where he un-derwent an operation. The operation was unsuccessful and Fra Luigi died at 12:30 on Tuesday, November 30, 2010. He was a solemn professed priest, a member of the Santissima Annunziata Province and Sette Santi community in Florence.

Fra Luigi was born on July 14, 1930 in Florence, the son of Luigi De Vittorio and Emilia Cincinelli and christened Cosimo Damiano Achille. In 1936 his family moved to Terranuova Bracciolini in the province and diocese of Arezzo. Fra Luigi‟s father was a native of Apulia and worked as a prison guard in Florence. At the end of his elementary school education in 1941 Fra Luigi was accepted as a candi-date for the Order at La Poggerina priory middle school. He finished middle school in 1946. One of his classmates recalled that students were sent home in 1944 be-cause of problems caused by World War II then raging in central Italy. On September 22, 1946 he entered the novitiate at Monte Senario and on September 24, 1947 he made his simple profession. He continued his secondary studies at the Santissima Annunziata in Florence and then moved on to St. Alexis International College in Rome for theology where he finished his studies in 1954. He made his solemn profession on December 7, 1952 and was ordained to the priesthood on April 3, 1954. Both cere-monies took place in the College chapel. He then returned to his province and spent two years at La Poggerina. In 1956 he was transferred to the Santissima Annunziata in Florence where he was appointed Provin-cial Historian and Vocation Director. For a short time he was also the assistant pastor. In 1964 he returned to Figline Valdarno to teach at La Poggerina. In 1965 he was awarded a licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Marianum Pontifical Theological

Faculty. In the 1966 Tuscan Province chapter of elections he was elected the first definitor and assigned to the Monte Senario community where he remained until 1968. In 1968 he was assigned to Sette Santi priory in Florence and stayed there until 1985. He spent a short time at Monte Sen-ario and then moved to the Santissima An-nunziata community in Pistoia. While living in Florence he held various offices: Provin-cial Delegate for the Third Order (1968-1970); master of students (1969-1973); and prior (1970-1976). Until 1976 he was a teacher at the institute for the blind.

In 1991 he was elected Prior Provincial and went to live at Sette Santi Priory in Florence. He held this office until 1997. From 2000 to 2003 he was the prior at Sette Santi. For many years – until the end of his life – he was the Tuscan Province Assistant for the Secular Order. He devel-oped many spiritual and human relation-ships while performing this task.

Fra Luigi was a man of great culture. Along with the many offices he held on the provincial and community level he did much high quality historical research and pro-duced monographs on the priories of the Tuscan Province. He was the author of a monumental, three-volume history of Swa-ziland devoted to the foundation, evolution and major projects of the Province and the Order in Africa. His work is especially im-portant for the history of the Diocese of Manzini. In his final years he was the ar-chivist of the Tuscan Province – a task he performed conscientiously. The archives provided much material for his research.

Also noteworthy was Fra Luigi‟s work for the Servite liturgy: he published prayer study-aids for lay people and made major contributions to the History and Spirituality Study Weeks at Monte Senario and the Marian Cultural Center at the Santissima Annunziata in Florence.

Luigi‟s approach to people alternated between rigid and friendly – he often ap-peared brusque but in reality was a warm and friendly individual. Many spoke of him with genuine affection during his funeral services. For him the good of the Province and the Order always came first.

The third volume of his history of the



Swaziland missions was just being pub-lished as his life came to an end. He was leaving a legacy and pointing out a path for us to follow.

The Prior Provincial, Fra Sergio M. Zili-ani, presided at his funeral in the Santissi-ma Annunziata. During the homily he pointed out that Fra Luigi‟s affection for his brethren was not shown in words but in his genuine concern for their well-being. In spite of his failing health he carried out all his tasks energetically. He was someone who made a serious if silent contribution to the welfare of the Province. After the funer-al his mortal remains were laid to rest in San Martino cemetery on Monte Senario.

23. Fra Emidio M. Iotti [PRG]

After a brief stay in Santa Maria Nuova Hospital Fra Emidio M. Iotti, OSM, died on December 28, 2010. He was a solemn pro-fessed Servite priest, a member of the Piedmont-Romagna Province and had been a member of the community of Beata Vergine della Ghiara since 2003.

Fra Emidio was born in 1932 at Villa Bagno (Reggio Emilia) into a devoutly reli-gious family. As a boy he followed his old-er brother into the Servite Seminary in Ronzano (Bologna). He made his novitiate at Montefano in 1948 and his solemn pro-fession in 1953. He studied philosophy with the Dominicans in Bologna and then moved to the Marianum Pontifical Theologi-cal Faculty in Rome for theology. He was ordained to the priesthood on April 6, 1957.

His priestly life began in the Ronzano seminary where he was the assistant mas-ter of postulants (1957-1962). From 1964 to 1967 he was stationed at the Servite school in Dinazzano. His most intense and satisfying time in the apostolate was in An-cona from 1967 to 2003. Initially he was the pastor and later an assistant in Santa Maria dei Servi parish. He was devoted to this parish and worked hard to oversee its construction. The church has beautiful stained glass windows created by Fra Fio-renzo Gobbo. Fra Emidio supported all the parish projects enthusiastically but espe-cially the large group of boy scouts. Youth work was one of the constants in his priest-

ly life, from his time at Ronazano and Di-nazzano to the parish in Ancona. Here to at La Ghiara he worked with young people.

When the Servites left the Ancona par-ish Fra Emidio returned to his native region and devoted himself to hearing confessions at La Ghiara sanctuary. His availability and gift of listening helped so many people in recent years. He carried out this apostolate up to his final moments. Christmas visitors to the basilica found him at his post – even though his face showed signs of suffering and his step was unsteady. He went into the hospital on Monday morning and died Tuesday evening. Fra Emidio was not someone who talked a great deal or sought the limelight but many in Reggio and Anco-na found him a trusted friend … he ap-proached everyone he met with the same demeanor.

Fra Emidio was committed to “living the Gospel in fraternal communion, following Our Lady‟s example.” He was a paradigm of the beatitudes of the meek, the humble and the peacemakers. I never saw him angry or heard him respond uncharitably. I did see him suffer in silence, though. In the words of Our Lord: Blessed are the peace-makers for they shall be called the children of God. I am certain that our Heavenly Fa-ther has received Emidio as one of his chil-dren. We entrust his soul to the merciful love of God and Our Lady to whom he was always sincerely devoted.

His funeral service was held on Thurs-day, December 30 at 11:30 AM at the Sanctuary of Beata Vergine della Ghiara. His brothers, friars from nearby communi-ties and a host of lay people attended the Mass. His brother, Fra Girolamo, presided. His body was laid to rest in the family tomb in the Bagno cemetery.

Let us show our love for this depart-

ed brother by imploring the Lord to have mercy on him, as our Constitutions pre-scribe (Chapter III, article 32).

1 · fra pietro m. papini [ann] prot. 382/2010 8. fra stefano m. papini [ann] prot. 395/2010 9....

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