Qui nos praecesserunt

Father
LUKAS SAAMBAYA
1959-2002

Father Saambaya was the son of Nemes Kiwoi and Praxedis Masaambaya. He was born at Kwingaci into an devout Catholic family of the parish of Usseri in the diocese of Moshi in Tanzania on July 9, 1959.
After attending elementary school in his native village he entered the Capuchin minor seminary in Maua (Moshi) where he completed secondary school. In 1981 he took part in the Vocation Orientation the Consolata missionaries organized at Iringa. Lukas was a serious, open and composed young man. He wanted to be a missionary and the name "Consolata" attracted him - in August of that same year he was admitted to the seminary at Langata in Nairobi. He completed his year of novitiate at Sagana (1984-1985) and made his first profession on August 6, 1985.
He was sent to the seminary in Bogota (Colombia) to pursue his theological studies. While still a student he was involved in the missionary apostolate in St. Athanasius parish; he worked especially with the poor and made an effort to derive all possible benefit from his extraordinary mission experiences in Caquetá and Pasacaballos. On July 17, 1988 he consecrated himself to God with perpetual profession.
His writings reveal his ardent desire to be a faithful disciple of the Lord. He wanted to understand and accept God's plan for his life. He strove to act with Gospel criteria and attitudes: humility, simplicity, dialogue, accepting others, seeking out the poor and dedicating himself to their service.
At the end of his theological studies he returned to Tanzania and was ordained to the priesthood in his home parish at Usseri on December 17, 1989. Afterwards he was sent to Roma-Bravetta and became a student at the Marianum Pontifical Faculty where he earned a licentiate in Mariology.
He was assigned to the Kenya Mission and from 1993 to 1996 worked as assistant pastor at the newly established parish in Chiga (Kisumu). This assignment presented a genuine challenge to Father Lukas; he was obliged to learn a new language and new customs.
In 1996 he was sent to Gatunga in the diocese of Meru and had difficulty learning yet another new language: Kimeru. Two years later he was assigned to Mujwa where he became part of a pastoral team and worked with young people in school. Among other accomplishments he made an important contribution to organizing the 90th anniversary of the mission and the centenary of the Institute.

Final Painful Days

At 3:00 PM on April 2, 2002, Father Lukas was traveling to the mission in Charia along with his two nephews when he was involved in an automobile accident. He was attempting to overtake the car in front of him and collided head-on with a car coming in the opposite direction. One of his nephews was killed instantly; the other sustained light injuries. Father Lukas suffered multiple fractures and fell into a deep coma. He was taken to the hospital in Meru but then because of the seriousness of his condition he was transferred to the hospital in Nairobi.
He underwent a series of operations to repair the multiple fractures. His condition seemed at times to improve but in reality Father Lukas never really awoke from his coma; hope gave way to sadness and on June 23 he suffered cardiac arrest and went to Our Father's House.
His funeral was celebrated at Mujwa on July 4. His long stay in the hospital had drawn the attention and sympathy of so many confrères, sisters and friends who had known him in his pastoral work. His funeral turned into a mass demonstration of grief.
Msgr. Salesius Mugambi, the coadjutor bishop of Meru presided at the Funeral Mass. Many of his confrères attended the service - among whom was Father Giuseppe Inverardi, the Regional Superior of Tanzania. Some twenty family members came from his native village. There were numerous diocesan priests and sisters from many different congregations. The large Mujwa church was entirely filled and an equally large crowd followed the service from outside.
The memories of the many people who knew and respected Father Lukas for his work and treasured his friendship contributed to the emotional farewell. His body was carried to the "historical" cemetery in Mujwa where so many of our pioneer fathers and sisters lie buried. Here again the large crowd gave evidence of its affection and esteem as they lined up to throw dirt into his grave.
All of us together gave Father Lukas a special "mandate." Along with all our missionaries in heaven he must continue to be part of our family and pray for our missions.
Father Luigi Brambilla

TESTIMONIAL

A great friend and brother

I met Father Lukas for the first time at Tosamaganga in May 1981 at a brief course of vocation orientation directed by Father A. Placucci. It was at that time that we were given the name "placuccini." Through that course we came to know the Institute and its mission in the world. I remember that Lukas was very serious about participation and distinguished himself by commitment to prayer, discernment and manual labor.
He came from the Capuchin minor seminary in Maua-Moshi where he had gone to high school. Once he came to know Our Lady, the Consolata, he was determined to enter the Institute. He liked the name "Consolata" and spoke particularly about his attraction to Our Lady.
At the end of the course Lukas was admitted to the philosophy seminary in Nairobi while I had to do my military service in Mafinga. In the letters he wrote me at that time he urged me to complete my military service as soon as possible and come and join him in the seminary. This happened in February 1982. Once I arrived Lukas helped me fit into the new world of the seminary.
He played a very positive role in the formation community. Everything he did, he did with conviction; this created a serious and serene atmosphere in the community. We had good soccer and volleyball teams and Lukas put all his energy and enthusiasm into our matches. He was a good goalie and determined to see our team acquit itself with honor.
Later we were both sent to Colombia: a genuine challenge for us - the first Africans sent to study in Latin America. Lukas joked "we spent twenty-five hours traveling from Nairobi to Bogotá - this is the kind of travel we will engage in as missionaries." Maybe he wasn't really joking - he said this with tears in his eyes.
Sister Mary Beth gave evidence of his generosity and commitment to service in a letter she sent me. "I well remember Lukas' work in the committee for the poor and sick of Yomosa (Bogotá, Colombia). He was an enormous help. He took an interest in the sick and in their relatives. He was a good missionary and disciple of Christ. I am happy to have known and worked with him."
After ordination Lukas was sent to Rome to study Mariology. It wasn't a case of just wanting a degree. We knew of his passion for Our Lady, the Consolata - these studies were a way to get to know and love her better. He met his death on the road - on that very road he had so often traveled to bring Our Lady's consolation to our poor and needy brothers.
I have lost a dear friend; in spite of our different personalities we always understood and helped each other. He had no secrets from his friends and he was capable of expressing his affection - even to the point of having tears in his eyes. His visits to the seminary were always very welcome; he would tell us about his missionary experiences and would encourage everyone to prepare seriously for the missionary apostolate.
Thank you, Lukas, for your friendship. Thank you for the courage and joy you shared with me in those years the Lord allowed us to live together. May He receive you into His peace.
Father Dietrich Pendawazima

Father
SERGIO GRUPPO
1930 - 2002

Father Sergio was born in Arzignano on February 13, 1930, the son of Giuseppe Gruppo and Anna Remonato. He entered the Institute in 1947, made his religious profession in 1953 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1956. He worked as an assistant/professor for one year in Bevera and then went to Portugal where he continued the same sort of work until 1966. He started attending the annual Gregorian Week at Fatima and was subsequently awarded a diploma in Gregorian Chant from the Lisbon Center for Gregorian Studies - this made him a qualified professor of music and organist at the Fatima Sanctuary.
From 1966 to 1970 he was professor of music at the theological seminary in Turin and at the same time continued his studies in Gregorian Chant at the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Milan. His musical talents were devoted to the service of the liturgy; he enriched the Portugal with a collection of chants Cantate Domino and the Italian musical repertoire with a collection of chants Canticum Novum. He made a similar contribution to Colombia's liturgical music: Cantemos al Dios de la vida. He prepared a collection of Ecuadorian native religious songs.
In 1970 he was named superior of the Varallo Sesia house and three years later he was back in Turin as the Regional Director of Mission Promotion. In 1979 he was assigned to Colombia where he worked as part of the Tocaima team: initially he was an assistant pastor and then became the pastor at Nariño-Guataquí. From 1984 to 1990 he was the novice master at Bucaramanga. He was then transferred to Ecuador where he did pastoral work for five years - initially at Punin and then at Licto in the diocese of Riobamba. He began to suffer from Parkinson's disease and from 1995 to 1997 was under medical care in Turin. He was convinced that he could still be of use in the missions and so returned to Ecuador - but after only a few months he was forced to face reality and return to Italy. He moved definitively to Alpignano where he composed his last Mass and endowed the chapel with a beautiful harmonium. His sister Marisa was a constant companion during his long Calvary which came to a close on June 28 - at five o'clock in the morning he went to Our Father's House. His funeral Mass was celebrated the following day, Father Emanuele Maggioni presided at the Mass and Father Claudio Brualdi, former Regional Superior from Colombia, spoke. The celebration closed with a farewell at which Father Ugo Luise officiated and Father Ignazio Mondin spoke very movingly. On Monday, July 1, his remains were taken for burial at Brugherio where another funeral service was celebrated.
Father Giuseppe Villa

TESTIMONIAL OF FATHER GIUSEPPE MINA

I met him on his arrival at the IMC Apostolic House inVittorio Veneto in 1945 while the Second World War was still in progress. As his spiritual director I grew close to him. He was shy but eager to hurry through his studies so that he could become a valued Consolata Missionary.
Those were hard times and it wasn't long before we ran short of food; we did everything we could to keep the center open since this kept us independent. Later I was sent to the Brothers house in Comotto and lost sight of Sergio, but I never forgot his balanced, poised, expansive personality full of joie de vivre. I know that he suffered long-term illnesses but through virtue and patience he overcame these setbacks. His mother was a constant source of help and support during this time. In 1953 he consecrated himself to the missions and in 1956 was ordained to the priesthood.
Meeting him later I realized his vocation for the missions had matured and put down deep roots. I was aware that he chosen the "here and now" of mission work (Superior at Varallo Sesia) over the opportunity to study music the Institute offered him. He had so many natural gifts; he loved both singing and playing music.
He spoke to me about his desire to go off to the missions - but his departure was always being postponed. Finally he was assigned to Colombia. He was master of novices from 1984 to 1990 and wrote to me for advice. He suffered because he felt he was misunderstood.
I was not in close contact afterwards but I know that he was involved in apostolic experimentation in Ecuador - a genuine pioneer. The sickness that later proved his Calvary brought him back to Italy. He was eager to work once more in the front lines and did everything he could to return to the missions,.
In the meantime he renewed acquaintance with people in Italy; these ties became closer during the years he lived at the Casa Beato Giuseppe Allamano. He learned to use a computer for writing and reading - and continued using it during the Christmas and Easter 2002 seasons. His sister, Marisa, always close at hand, helped him with the computer and Father Romolo Lumetti gave him a hand with his correspondence. There came a time when he could no longer speak or move - he couldn't brush flies from his face - but he never lost his poise, never lost his smile. It was a type of martyrdom
The ups and downs of summer heat made it difficult for him to breathe. He even had trouble swallowing Holy Communion. The tireless Father Genta did everything he could to alleviate this difficult situation.
On June 28, 2002 - the anniversary of his ordination - he died at 5:00 AM… I think back on his beautiful and elegantly published Colombian popular song texts which continues to have such an impact in that part of the world. Song, faith, death and resurrection come together in Father Sergio's efforts to make life a mission song.

TESTIMONIAL OF FATHER ANTONIO BONANOMI

For many years of my life I lived with Father Sergio Gruppo. During the years together we shared the same spirit and ideas.
He began his work as a professor/assistant in Bevera; was then assigned to Portugal and later became the superior at Varallo Sesia during the difficult years that followed the Second Vatican Council. I came to Varallo to be in charge of formation - I was full of new ideas: get rid of the cassock, put everyone in public schools, create a richer, more human foundation for formation, begin studying new ways of being missionaries.
Several Fathers in the community reacted strongly to these new ideas and Father Sergio was initially somewhat uncertain - very soon though he became a peacemaker. We understood and liked each other very much. He was both wise and serene; he supported my program but softened my approach and acted as an intermediary with those Fathers who opposed me. He fostered mutual understanding and his calm presence was beneficial to both me personally and the seminary as well. He accepted renewal but at the same time defended discipline, order, cleanliness and structure.
We then both went to Bedizzole and the Regional Secretariats were established. Father Sergio was in charge of the secretariat for mission promotion, Fathers Mura and Pellegrino were responsible for vocation promotion and I had the secretariat for formation. Meetings and collaboration with other missionary institutes led to the creation of the Unified Secretariat for Mission Promotion (SUAM) as a place for studying new ideas and situations that affected our mission secretariats. Because of his wisdom and talent, Father Gruppo was chosen as the first secretary of SUAM.
The secretariats were later disbanded but we did not lose contact with each other. Between 1975 and 1978 we met occasionally to consider the possibility of working together as a missionary team. In 1978 five of us (A. Bonanomi, E. Roattino, S. Mura, V. Pellegrino, S. Gruppo and I) requested to go together to Colombia - this was the beginning of our experience in Tocaima. For five years we lived together even though we worked in different villages - Father Gruppo worked at Nariño-Guataquí. While the rest of us were somewhat impetuous he was calm and composed and so we elected him our superior.
At the end of five wonderful years the group disbanded; Father Gruppo was appointed master of novices and I went to work among the Indians in Toribio. Later Father Gruppo went to Ecuador to work among Indians as well and we felt ourselves joined in our efforts to create an authentic apostolate among native peoples. In synthesis I would say we were united by three strong bonds: shared ideas, common work and life together. These elements bound our lives together.

His Personality

I would like to emphasize three important aspects of Father Gruppo's personality.
1. He was extraordinarily human. He was a man of enormous sensitivity which sometimes caused him to suffer. He felt things deeply and expressed this sensitivity in many ways: he was attentive to details - birthdays, name-days, health. I sometimes told him he was "like a mother" - he would worry about a brother who coughed or someone else who stayed up too late. He sometimes came and turned off my light at midnight -forcing me to go to sleep. He was a wonderful human being.
He was also an artistic human being. He was a musician and heard music in his heart. Returning from a village he would sometimes sit down and compose music - music that echoed the sounds in his heart, his reaction to the village he had just visited. At his death he left an enormous quantity of musical material - evidence of his deep and abundant musical sensibility.
I would also add that I never heard him speak ill of anyone. Criticism was foreign to his nature. Insensitive or discourteous criticism caused him pain, to the extent that he was sometimes reduced to tears by what he considered a lack of charity. He learned to control this sensitivity and direct himself towards charity. The move from Italy to the missions was certainly not easy for him. He went from being a great musician to one who works among the poor. The part of the parish he worked in was certainly the very poorest. He showed a sensitivity and delicacy in working with the poor that were an example to all of us.

2. He was a good disciple of Jesus. He wasn't one to speak about Jesus all day long - but he took the Gospel very seriously. The Gospel was his life. He showed this by praying well, celebrating the Eucharist well, being attentive to the poor, being merciful, compassionate and eager for the Kingdom of God. Father Sergio's spiritual life was a great example for me. For him the Gospel wasn't just a book - it was life. I would sometimes tease him, "You are Nathaniel, an Israelite in whom there is no guile …" and this was the truth. For him everything was yes, yes and no, no. His option for the poor was in no way ideological - it was something that came from his heart. He was a witness, not an ideologue.

3. Missionary Zeal. I admired his zeal very much - he traveled a long road. Along with others Father Gruppo and I established a periodical - AMICO - during our time in theology. This newsletter was addressed to diocesan seminaries; we sought and received letters from missionaries, etc. We mimeographed the bulletin and sent it to our seminaries. Our purpose was to define and describe the missions - not from books and theories - but from life in the missions. If our group accomplished anything it was to make the Institute think about the missions. The culmination of this "thinking about the missions" was the 1975 Chapter - the "Chapter of the Missions" par excellence.
We thought it urgent to live the missions in a new way - working as a team, for example. But also with a new spirit: we ought not identify the mission with missionary propaganda and sacramentalization but with rediscovering the source of evangelization. The missionary team would be a means of giving witness. Within the team we had to appreciate and exploit the diversity of charisms: priests, lay people, sisters.
Father Gruppo brought this wealth of new ideas to SUAM; I did the same at the National Center for Vocations - the ideas were contagious and spread both within and outside the Institute.
Father Gruppo contributed his thoughts and a good deal of his life to all this. I admired the way he, a great musician, put music aside in Tocaima lest it proved an obstacle to his missionary work. He gave up so many things that were close to his heart for the sake of the Kingdom.
I admired Father Sergio. He was a humble and reserved man - but in my eyes he was a man who was extraordinary in ordinary things. I have known and respected many missionaries but Father Sergio and his ability to bring together humanity, Gospel and mission were special.

Father
TULLIO MARTINELLI
1914 - 2002

Father Tullio was born in Chiazzola-Ala (Trent) on February 4, 1914 and entered the Institute in 1926. He consecrated himself to God in 1936 and was ordained to the priesthood the following year. He spent the first years of his ministry as assistant to the novices and theologians (1936 - 1939). During the war (1939 - 1945) he was the director of the house in Vittorio Veneto. In 1947 he left for Brazil where he worked until 1959. He was the pastor of São Manuel and director of the seminary; he built a new seminary and a house for the sisters. His fragile physical constitution reacted to these years of intense work. In a letter to Father Domenico Fiorina, the Superior General, in early 1950 he wrote about his many responsibilities, "I really don't know which way to turn or where to begin … today … I am continuing to receive injections and camphor and almost haven't got the strength to write. Yesterday I did too much. But all things considered, your blessing and Royal Bee Jelly have renewed my strength. I have seldom worked as I have in these last months without taking a day off. In any event - Forward in Domino! As long as I have strength I have the will."
Father Tullio's only concerns were not just his work and his health - he was concerned for the welfare of the community. "I think Providence has been especially good to us - there is perfect harmony among our fathers. All agree that this has been our best year at São Manuel. I would add that it is the year in which we have worked hardest in spite of setbacks. I confess that I am often shamed by the dedication of our fathers who deserve much more help and support than I am able to provide. And to think that they are always urging me to take time off and to rest. They try and spare me the harder tasks. Father Bisio must be protecting us from heaven." (Letter to Father Fiorina - September 2, 1950). "Our progress is not just material, it is spiritual as well. All the fathers at São Manuel work tirelessly - almost excessively - and in perfect harmony. We are visiting all the families of the city and outskirts with a sort of Peregrinatio Mariae. Three houses every evening and therefore three fathers busy every evening … We have done three hundred such visits out of a thousand so far. I think Jesus and Mary are happy with the fathers at São Manuel - I think you can be too" (Letter to Father Fiorina, May 25, 1951). When things went badly he showed himself to be a man of deep faith: "How heavy I find responsibility. I never sought it out, I always looked at any thought of it as a temptation - to be avoided - since I didn't know how to exercise it worthily … God knows what He is doing. We can only bow our head and carry the cross" (Letter to Father Fiorina, March 5, 1952).
In 1954 he was sent to São Paulo to supervise the building of the Regional House.
In the 1959 Chapter he was elected a General Councilor and was at the same time appointed General Administrator. He was confirmed in office during the following chapter in 1969.
In 1976 after sixteen years in office and in spite of health problems he requested permission to work in Roraima. On June20, 1976, he wrote to Father Mario Bianchi, Superior General, from Boa Vista, "… I do what I can plugging up holes. I am the superior at Calungá, I am a substitute for Father Zintu in the school and on Saturday and Sunday I go to Mucajai. As long as my strength holds out I am ready for any job or task that can help out. I am trying to be a unifying force - bringing calm to tense situations. I feel pretty much at home with the fathers and am happy. Certainly my health is what it is. The climate in this season of heavy rain is very humid - I have problems from time to time and feel weak. I hope I don't contract malaria - that would really knock me out. If that is God's will, though, I will accept it."
He was briefly the Regional Superior at Roraima before he went to work among the Indians in the Catrimani mission. In 1983 his poor health forced a move to Rio de Janeiro where he worked as a parish assistant. He returned to Roraima in 1985 and was the Regional Administrator for two years.
In 1988 he returned to Italy and went to live in Bevera. On March 5, 1997 Father Piero Trabucco, Superior General, congratulated him on the sixtieth anniversary of his ordination. He answered, "My heart is so full of gratitude to God that I can forget my problems. My years of priesthood have been beautiful, full of grace, work, responsibility - I couldn't have asked for more. There was suffering, weakness and misunderstanding - but I looked on these things as gifts from God to complete the Passion of Christ in me, an integral part of my priesthood.
"May Our Lady, the Consolata, look after me in this last phase of my life while I await in blessed hope the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ! I feel great gratitude to the Institute I have loved so much. From the time of my novitiate my mind was set on being a missionary - 'Either a Consolata Missionary or nothing!' I am grateful too to my superiors who placed too much confidence in me, and to whom I have always responded fiat even when it was difficult. I am now serene and at peace. 'Every night before going to sleep I pray, Lord into your hands I commend my spirit'."
Father Tullio had a tumor and spent his last months in the infirmary in Turin. On July 8, he went back to Our Father's house. His funeral was celebrated at the Motherhouse on July 10. Father Ernesto Viscardi presided and Father Silvano Sabatini preached the homily. Father Viscardi accompanied his remains to Mori in the Trentino to be buried in his family tomb.
Editors of Da Casa Madre
TESTIMONIALS

Active and Delicate

I was only fourteen years old and newly arrived in the IMC seminary in Vittorio Veneto when the superiors were changed. Father Tullio Martinelli replaced Father Ghiotti. His youth impressed me - he was barely 25 years old - as did the tactful way he treated the young boys in the seminary and the fathers on the staff who were older than he was.
The war was soon upon us and the war meant hunger. Genuine hunger. Father Tullio did everything he could think of to provide food for his 80 little apostles.
I remember one particular event. He went out looking for something to flavor the very thin soup we lived on. While returning he fainted on the train - he was overwhelmed from carrying two enormous suitcases filled with lard he had scrounged at S. Vendemmiano. Generous people brought him back to the seminary and even helped him avoid the thugs from the ration board.
As soon as he could he bought three hectares of land to grow corn - this also provided cover for purchases of corn from neighbors. Government controls and penalties were severe for anyone who exceeded the amount of food allowed by ration cards. He would not even consider closing the minor seminary and sending his little apostles home for lack of food.
As he moved on to fill other positions in the Institute he never lost his natural delicacy or his interest in his former students. On his official visits to Africa and America he made every effort to seek them out in remote jungles and distant pampas.
Father Egidio Crema

He helped people to do their best

I came to know Father Tullio Martinelli in São Manuel in 1949 when he was the superior of the seminary. His health was always problematic and he was a man of few words but once one penetrated the surface one discovered a very sensitive, capable and intelligent person who understood problems and would support those he met. He never raised his voice; he knew what he wanted and persevered until he got it. He had the gift of supporting people and shouldering his own responsibilities without imposing.
Over time he gained experience in supervising construction projects; this began at São Manuel where he built a new seminary for the numerous students and a house for the sisters. It was this ability coupled with his natural talent for administration that led to his appointment as General Administrator. Even from Turin he maintained strong ties with Brazil.
I was appointed regional treasurer at a time when our region enjoyed a considerable increase in vocations and was consequently involved in many building projects (seminaries, houses, parishes). During this time of great activity Father Tullio provided close assistance and encouragement. His experience was a source of continual assurance.
He and Father Bindo Meldolesi came to Brazil immediately after my appointment and together we made a tour of inspection in Roraima which was a delegation of our region. That trip made a profound impression on Father Tullio. e saw with his own eyes the stark situation in which our missionaries lived and worked: there was extreme poverty and an almost total lack of assistance for missionaries who spent entire months away from the missions visiting out of the way places … I don't think there was a more difficult situation anywhere else in the Institute. Our very regional house in Boa Vista was in a pitiful condition. All of this made Father Tullio eager to reverse this situation.
The first thing he insisted on was a far-reaching project that could be presented to the government organization "Alliance for Progress." He himself worked on drawing up this project and made efforts in the capital to see that it was approved. Father Tullio's ideas reached far into the future. He spoke about establishing three missions among the Yanomami Indians (one for the Macuxi, one for the Waiwai and one for the Waimiria Troari) along with schools in the savanna and a workers' training school in the city. The project received preliminary approval but the governor of Roraima's opposition blocked it.
In spite of this Father Tullio continued his work on behalf of Roraima. He was responsible for the fathers' House in Boa Vista and the workers' training school in Calungà which made history at the time. Then along with Msgr. Conti he backed the cathedral of Boa Vista. He gave this project his full support. He had plans drawn up in Italy and then followed construction closely. All of this was evidence of his deep attachment to Roraima.
Another important project he and Father Domenico Fiorina, the Superior General, sponsored was the international seminary in São Paulo. This seminary was close to Father Tullio's heart. He himself had overseen the plans and had provided funds for buying land in the city. This project, unfortunately, was never completed.
This was the first time that Father Tullio provided funds for the region. The General Administration had no money but he was especially talented in helping people raise funds. With his encouragement we organized a variety of fund raising campaigns; he taught us how to approach the government for financial assistance for our work. Father Tullio was always at our side: he urged and encouraged us; he helped us discover local solutions to our problems.
Obviously Roraima remained close to his heart and when he finished his work as General Administrator he asked to be sent there to work at the Catrimani Mission. Something that always astounded me was how in spite of his fragile health he always found the strength to carry on. Life at Catrimani at that time was extremely hard but this didn't stop him from plunging into work there - he believed so strongly in the mission to the Indians. Even when he returned to Italy Catrimani was never far from his thoughts and he continued to collect and send help to the mission.
In the last days before he died he underwent an operation on his femur and was semi-conscious for two days after the operation. The nurse in attendance asked what the word "Catrimani" meant - he repeated it often during the night. An indication of his attachment to the mission.
I visited Father Tullio every day during the last two months of his life in the Turin infirmary with a bone tumor that caused him much pain. At first he was upset and impatient. He was accustomed to handling problems on his own; he was impotent in the face of sickness and found it difficult to depend on others.
In the beginning I would stand at his bedside in silence. Gradually he began to speak and become himself again. One could see his inner turmoil, the gradual purification and eventual acceptance of the situation … it was something impressive to witness. All of this was slow, painful but increasingly apparent - it was his preparation for death. He was well aware of the seriousness of his sickness and knew the end was imminent. He prayed a great deal and through prayer came to accept his helplessness. He asked Father Armanni for a small radio so he could listen to Radio Maria and continue to pray during the night. His last days were a crucible of suffering - he was thoroughly purified and accepted God's will with serenity.
Father Silvano Sabatini

Father and Teacher

Koelliker Hospital … July 8, 2002, 4:00 AM: Father Tullio went to Our Father after nine days of suffering and silent waiting. Nine days of simple watching. When I went to his bedside he said nothing. He simply looked at me and that look was a synthesis of all I had learned from twenty years of meetings, conversations and financial work together. It was especially during those two years we worked together closely (1974 and 1975) that I came to know the man and the missionary.
I had barely finished my studies and had had brief missionary experience in Roraima when I was suddenly thrown into the world of finances under the guidance of Father Tullio. After a few days he had me appointed a notary public and faced with my obvious fear of making a mistake he told me with his characteristic calm, "Don't worry whatever mistakes you make will be attributed to me." I was shocked, but his words gave me motivation. I would do anything to avoid disappointing him. His words symptomatic of his fatherly attitude - he was a confrère who inspired courage and confidence, he was a teacher eager to make his student independent.
"A Mentor." Yes, Father Tullio was a mentor - he taught balance, common sense and humanity. His attitude, his virtue, in no way stopped him from asserting his ideas forcefully. In his sixteen years as a Councilor and General Administrator there were certainly rough moments and disagreements in the Council. Father Tullio was sometimes discouraged - but he never gave up; he overcame discouragement with faith.
He would struggle fiercely because he believed equally fiercely that our money belonged to the poor; it came from the sacrifices of those who were only slightly less poor. Unjustified expenditures would disgust him!
I would like to conclude by quoting something he said in a homily during a 1975 financial council meeting: "When we pray we put our hands together and lift them to heaven - like a beggar seeking alms."
Goodbye Tullio, Father and Mentor.
Father Silvano Cacciari