ongregation

nformation of

ongregation

Year XLI - n. 3-4 March-April 2017

nformation of

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Via Ulisse Seni, 2 - 00153 ROME - ItalyPhone (39) 06-58.33.11.35

Fax (39) 06-58.03.808e-mail: secgen@scalabrini.org

From the General AdministrationAdmission to the PriesthoodNihil Obstat for Perpetual ProfessionPresence at the AssembliesAssignment of Religious Studentsto Theological CommunitiesParticipation to the AssembliesMissionary Solidarity CampaignProfessions and OrdinationsAbsences and separations from the CongregationUpcoming Meetings of the General Council

Professions and Ordinations

VI Intern. Forum Internationalon Migration and PeaceAddress of Pope Francis

Scalabrinian Annuario

In the Father’s House

In memory ofFr. Tiziano MartellozzoFr. Armando OrioliFr. Secondo CasarottoFr. Amerio Ferrari

Yearsfrom the Foundation

1887 - 2017

In this issue

Admission to the PriesthoodOn March 14, 2017, the Superior General, withthe consent of his Council, has ratified the admis-sion to the priesthood of the following religiousstudents from the Manila theological community.

* Afandi Heribertus (Indonesian)* Berdos Raniel (Filipino)* Doan Than Tinh (Vietnamese)* Nguyen Minh Toan (Vietnamese)* Tran Quoc Bao (Vietnamesea)* Nguyen Tuan Vu (Vietnamese)

The Nihil Obstat for Perpetual ProfessionOn March 14, 2017 the Superior General, with theconsent of his Council, has granted the nihil ob-stat for the perpetual profession to:

Manila Theological Community- Chuntic Emmanuel (Filipino)- Nguyen Duc Trung Hau (Vietnamese)- Nguyen Duy Trinh (Vietnamese)- Nguyen Hoang Khanh Huy (Vietnamese)- Nguyen Quang Huynh (Vietnamese)- Truong Quang Phu (Vietnamese)- Tran Dinh Thong (Vietnamese)

São Paulo Theological Community- Acosta Medina Fernando (Mexican)- Luison Matteo (Italian)- Da Silva Adriano Rafael (Brazilian)

Rome Theological Community- Donato Fuentes Marcos (Mexican)

Assignment of Religious Studentsto Theological CommunitiesThe Superior General has assigned the newly pro-fessed religious of the Cebù novitiate to the fol-lowing theological communities for thecontinuation of their initial formation and theirtheological studies:

To the “Scalabrini Theological Houseof Studies” in Manila:- Pham Thanh Phong “Vincent” (Indonesian)- Albert Aloisius (Indonesian)- Asuk Berek Remigius (Indonesian)

To the “Istituto Teologico Scalabriniano”,Rome:- Bandut Dionifasius (Indonesian)- Ho Duc Thuc “John Baptist” (Vietnamese)- Javines Udal Jestoni (Filipino)

To the “Seminário João XXIII”, São Paulo- Dau Phat Tai “Peter” (Vietnamese)- Karvin Georgius (Indonesian)- Phun Duy Thanh Tam “Paul” (Vietnamese)

To the “Seminario Teológico San Carlos”,Bogotá:- Harto Saverius (Indonesian)- Nguyen Van Tien “Joseph” (Vietnamese)- Tran Dinh Du “Anthony” (Vietnamese)

In addition, the Superior General has also as-signed to Rome’s “Istituto Teologico Scalabrini-ano” the newly professed Abner René BonillaTorres of the Guadalajara novitiate.

Absences and Separations

On February 28, 2017, the Holy Father has con-firmed the decree of “ipso facto” dismissal fromthe Congregation of Cangas Alvance according toCann 696 §1 and 665 §2.

On February 20, 2017 the Superior General hasissued the decree of dismissal from the clericalstate of Hernandez Maldonado Alberto. The de-cree was later confirmed by the Holy See on April3, 2017.

Upcoming General Council meetings:May 15-16June 12-13September 5-6.

From the General Administration

Missionary Solidarity CampaignWith letter dated March 20, 2017, the SuperiorGeneral has called for a campaign of solidarity tohelp the people affected by the earthquake whichhit Central Italy.

Participationto the Assemblies

Fr. Gildo Baggio,General Councilorand Secretary,took partin the Assemblyof the Region BlessedJohn Baptist Scalabriniheld in Brescia, Italyon February 14 – 16.

Fr. Alessandro Gaz-zola, Superior Gen-eral and Fr. SanteZanetti, GeneralCouncilor and Treas-urer, took part in themeeting of confreresworking informationin the Province of St.Frances X. Cabriniwhich was held inMelbourne on April21 – 22. On the fol-lowing days, April 24– 28, they partici-pated in the Assem-bly of the sameProvince.

Fr. Luis Antonio Lamus Diaz, General Councilor from April 3-24 has visited the seminaries of the RegionOur Lady Mother the Migrants and from April 25 – 27 was present at the Assembly of the same Region;from May 2-5 he will take part at the Joint Assembly of the Provinces of St. Charles Borromeo and St.John the Baptist in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

On April 9, 2017,

Abner René

Bonilla Torres

of the Guadalajaranovitiate has madehis first professionin Tecún Umán,Guatemala.

Priestly Ordinations

On May 8, 2017 the following deacons will be or-dained to the priesthood by Bishop Ruperto CruzSantos in the Church of Our Lady of MountCarmel in Quezon City, MM, Philippines:

- Peter Nguyen Tuan Vu (Vietnamese)- Joseph Tran Quoc Bao (Vietnamese)- Joseph Doan Thanh Tinh (Vietnamese)- Joachim Nguyen Minh Toan (Vietnamese)

Raniel Berdos (Filipino) will be ordained Prieston May 13, 2017 by Bishop Wilfredo D. Manlapazat Holy Family Parish, Laak, Compostela ValleyProvince, Diocese of Tagum, Philippines.

Perpetual ProfessionsOn June 4, 2017, in the Basilica Nossa Senhora daBoa Viagem in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil,the following Scalabrinian religious will be maketheir perpetual profession:

- Fernando Acosta Medina (Mexican)- Matteo Luison (Italian)- Rafael Adriano da Silva (Brazilian)

First Professions

On May 5, 2017 the following novices from theSan Carlos Heights Novitiate, Cebu City, Philip-pines, will be taking their first vows:

- Vincent Pham Thanh Phong (Vietnamese)- Remigius Asuk Berek (Indonesian)- Peter Dau Phat Tai (Vietnamese)- John Baptist Ho Duc Thuc (Vietnamese)- Saverinus Harto (Indonesian)- Aloisius Albert (Indonesian)- Joseph Nguyen Van Tien (Vietnamese)- Dionifasius Bandut (Indonesian)- Georgius Karvin (Indonesian)- Anthony Tran Dinh Du (Vietnamese)- Jestoni Javinez Udal (Filipino)- Paul Phung Duy Thanh Tam (Vietnamese)

UPCOMING PROFESSIONS AND PRIESTLY ORDINATIONS

VI International Forum on Migration and Peace

ADDRESS OF POPE FRANCIS TO THE PARTICIPANTSOF THE INTERNATIONAL FORUM “MIGRATION AND PEACE”,

organized by SIMN on Tuesday, February 21, 2017

“Our shared response [so that emigration may become a resource],may be articulated by four verbs:

to welcome, to protect, to promote and to integrate.”

This, according to Pope Francis, is the way to deal with“the largest movement of individuals, if not of peoples, in history.”

For original text of Pope Francis’s address, access the following:http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/it/speeches/2017/february/documents/papa-francesco_20170221_forum-migrazioni-pace.html

Region Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini

- Fr. Ernest Célestin to Piacenza beginning inApril, to study Italian and to help in serving theSpanish-speaking community.

- Fr. Gabriele Bentoglio to Brescia; Fr. Gabrielewas continue his responsibility as General Po-stulator.

- Fr. Remildo Boldori is taking a sabbatical inBrazil.

- Fr. Arlain Pierre Vicar in Nampula, Mozam-bico.

Province of St. Charles Borromeo

- Fr. Mario Lorenzana: Parochial Vicar at St.Paschal Baylon Church, Thornhill, Ontario, ef-fective March 15, 2017.

- Fr. Giuseppe Durante: Four months of Por-tuguese language study and cultural experi-ence in Brazil, from March 9, 2017 until July 20,2017. Fr. Durante will reside at Parish Our Ladyof Grace, in Vicente de Carvalho, SP, Brazil.

- Fr. Luigi Mansi: vicar at Our Lady Queen ofPeace, Delray Beach, FL, while Fr. Durante is inBrazil. Until August 2017.

Province of St. John the Baptist- Fr. Yosef Sadipun, has been assigned as Asso-

ciate Pastor of Our Lady of Mount CarmelChurch in Melrose Park, IL effective upon hisarrival in the U.S.

- Fr. José Percy Cervera has been assigned inResidence at Scalabrini House of Discernmentin Sun Valley, CA to study English effective uponhis arrival in the U.S.

- Fr. Félière Louis has been assigned in Resi-dence at Scalabrini House of Discernment inSun Valley, CA to study English effective uponhis arrival in the U.S

Province of St. Frances X. Cabrini- Fr Reinaldo José Vassoler, Parish Priest of

Warringah Parish in the Diocese of Broken Bay.Effective on the 11th of June 2017.

- Fr. Jean Baptiste Klaukensky, Chaplain to mi-grants in the Diocese of Saitama, Japan. Effec-tive on the 1st May 2017.

- Fr. Emanuel Logo Like, Animator of thepropaedeutic in the seminary of Ruteng, In-donesia. Effective on the 1st of March 2017.

New Email Addresses- Secretary of Region O.L. Mother of Migrants,

Fr. Evandro Antonio Cavalli:secregiao@gmail.com

- Fr. Renato Zilio: oltrefrontiere@google-mail.com (replaces zilio2005@hotmail.comwhich is no longer active.

- Bro. Charles Muscat:

brocharlie@stlukeirving.org

- Fr. Atanasius Dewantara:adecsprov@gmail.com (replaces: visapas-porchicago@yahoo.com)

- Fr. Petrus Pitol: peternunang@yahoo.com(replaces: pedronunang@hotmail.com)

We remember our dear deceasedin our prayers:

Fr. Secondo CASAROTTOArcugnano, Vicenza, Italy:May 20, 1941Laham, Maryland, USA: March 19, 2017

Fr. Amerio FERRARIFerriere, Piacenza, Italy: February 13, 1933Charleroi, Belgium: March 21, 2017

Fr. Giuseppe BIZZOTTOSan Zeno di Cassola, Vicenza, Italy: April 18,1925Bassano del Grappa, Vicenza, Italy: April 11,2017

Fr. Vilson ZANINIAratiba, RS, Brazil: February 2, 1947Passio Fundo, RS, Brazil: April 22, 2017

Joseph NHAT DUNG, a seminarian from thePropaedeutic in Vietnam died on March 7 due toan accident in a river.

Scalabrinian Annuario

In the Father’s House

DEATHS IN THE FAMILY:

- Mrs. Anne, the mother of the religious KhiemNguyen died in March.

- Mrs. Francisca, the mother of Fr. Héctor Orozcodied on April 6.

- Mrs. Caterina, the mother of Fr. Giovanni Biz-zotto died on April 17. She was 90.

- Mr. Sylver, the father of Fr. Pierre Onel died onSaturday April 15

- Mr. Anselmo, the father of Fr. Alejandro CondeRomero died on April 6.

- Mr. Fernando, the brother of Fr. Franco Casati,passed away in February.

- Mr. Vincent Gioanh, the brother of Fr. Dinh, diedon March 6.

- Mr. Nilo, the brother of Fr. Enzo Moretto, diedat the beginning of March.

- Mr. Rolando, the brother of Fr. Ettore Sartori,died on March 14.

- Mr. Peter, the brother of Fr. Savino Bernardi,died in March.

- Mr. Anthony, the brother of Fr. Giovanni Mellodied in March.

- Mr. Genuíno Baldo, the brother of Fr. ValmirBaldo, died on March 31 at Romelândia, SC,Brazil. He was 78.

- Mr. Antonio, the brother of Fr. Luigi Canesso,died on Friday, April 14.

- Mrs. Anna, the sister of Fr. Luigi Dal Bianco,died on March 7. She was 93.

- Mrs. Domenica, the sister of Fr. Pio Fantinato,died on March 13.

- Mrs. Adelina, the sister of Fr. Danilo Ravanello,died on March 14. She was 90.

Dear confrères,

as we begin the 23rd year of uninterrupted publication of the bi-monthly “Scalabriniani” we have the opportunity to express, on be-half of all our coworkers, our gratitude and our good wishes for arenewed Scalabrinian missionary service with our Blessed Founder’sprayer: “May the Lord reward abundantly… assist, defend, protectand prosper this work of his.”

The “missionary solidarity” campaign and the publication of thebimonthly magazine are well accepted by our readers, who, in di-verse ways, show their satisfaction, encouraging us to continue, al-beit within our limits.

Our gratitude goes to those among you who have supported andwill continue to support us by sending in articles, news on the mis-sions and financial help. We are a bit worried about printing costs,by the increase of postal tariffs and by the suppression of reduced

rates. However, aware of the importance of mass media, repeatedly underscored by the General Chaptersof the Congregation, we are hopeful for the future.“Scalabriniani” offers the confrères the opportunity of renewing the subscription with the cel-ebration of masses (up to five). Those wishing to take up this opportunity are asked to make itknown to the secretarial staff at segreteriacs@gmail.com

- Closed on April 24th, 2017 -

Fr. Tiziano Martellozzo entered the Bassano del Grappa minor seminary in the age of 12 on October 10, 1940:he was the last of nine children and, as the Pastor of Camposampiero wrote in recommending him, from agood Christian family. He did minor seminary in Bassano del Grappa, the Novitiate in Crespano del Grappa,where he took his first vows in 1946.Following his third year of junior college in Cermenate, he was assigned to the Sacred Heart Seminary inMelrose Park, IL, USA for his theological studies. He boarded the ship at the port of Genova on November 15,1948. He kept a diary of his trip, in which he echoes the sense of adventure and wonder of the first migrants.He was ordained on November 1, 1952, at the end of his theological studies, in parish church of St. Callistusin Chicago. His first assignment was in St. Bartholomew parish in Providence and then he went to Rome forthe year of updating.Following a year of ministry in All Souls parish Hamilton, Ont. Canada, in 1960 he was assigned to Australiawhere eight years earlier the Congregation had established its missionary presence. The change from theNorth American parishes to the new Australian apostolate was not easy for him; five years later he still finds“a great difference between the psychological environment of North America and that of Australia, and hefinds the distinction of the work between territorial parish and missio cum cura animarum for Italians inef-ficient and, last but not least, (there was) the difficulty of adapting to the confreres.” He shared this with hissuperiors, asking for enlightenment and advice.The advice, along with his goodwill, helped him to work, to the great admiration of his countrymen, in theStates of Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. He was also esteemed by his confreres,who entrusted him with the office of First Councilor and Provincial Vicar in 1991. On the occasion of his 60thanniversary of priesthood he wrote to the Superior General: “I’ve always tried to do my best… I can statethat there has never been one day in which I have regretted the choice of my vocation as priest and Scal-abrinian missionary.”The Lord called him to himself on Jan. 29, 2017 at the St. Raphael Residence in Bassano del Grappa, Italy.

In memory of

Fr. Tiziano MARTELLOZZO (89)

Born: August 31, 1928, Camposampiero, Padova (Italy)First Profession: September 4, 1946, Crespano del Grappa (Italy)Perpetual Profession: September 11, 1949, Cermenate (ItalyOrdained: November 1, 1952, Chicago (USA)Died: January 29, 2017, Bassano del Grappa (Italia)

1953-1958 - Assistant, St. Bartholomew, Providence, RI, USA1958-1959 - Year of updating, Rome, Italy1959-1960 - Assistant, All Souls, Hamilton, Ont, Canada1960 – Assigned to AUSTRALIA1960-1967 - Pastor, Broadmeadows, Newcastle, NSW1967-1968 – Pastor, Albion St., Sydney, NSW1968-1970 - Superior of Hobart Mission, Tasmania1970-1973 - Pastor, Red Cliffs, VIC1974-1977 - Director of Italian Center, Hamilton, NSW and Stella Maris Chaplain1977-1980 - In charge of Ministry to Migrants, Dee Why, NSW1981-1983 - Pastor, St. Brigid, North Fitzroy, VIC1983-1986 – Assistant, St. Mel, Shepparton and St. Kevin, Dee Why, NSW1987-1993 - Pastor, St. Kevin, Dee Why, NSW1994-1998 - Director of Scalabrini Ctr. and Stella Maris Chaplain, Newcastle, NSW

First Provincial Councilor1998-2003 - Chaplain to Italians, Liverpool area, NSW2003-2011 - Assistant St. Brigid, Perth, WA and St. Therese, Mascot, NSW2011-2015 - Casa Maria Assunta, Arco, Trento, Italy2015-2017 - Casa San Raffaele, Bassano del Grappa, Vicenza, Italy, where he died on January 29, 2017

Fr. Armando was one of seven children from a deeply Christian family; at 11 he began minor seminaryin Rezzato, Brescia. He did his Novitiate in Crespano del Grappa, Treviso; completed his junior collegein Cermenate, Como, and studied theology in Freiburg, Switzerland, where he picked up both Frenchand German.He was assigned to the Province of St. Raphael (Switzerland and Germany) and worked for the first fiveyears in Basel, immersed in the many activities of a dynamic and lively community of first-generationmigrants, learning how to work with youth. He later moved on to Stuttgart and Solothurn always withinthe setting of Italian Catholic missions. As Director of the Stuttgart Italian Catholic Mission he was facedwith a radical change in both structures and pastoral methodology as a result of a process aimed at in-corporating ethnic ministry in the local parishes, a process which for the communities involved was dif-ficult to understand and to accept. In this far from simple context, in December 2001 he was admittedto the hospital and underwent three bypasses, followed by complications to the lungs and infections,which caused him to remain for over a month in a state of induced coma. For the celebration of his 25thanniversary of priesthood, however, he was still able to display his proverbial and subtle irony on life’sevents. He was able to resume his ministry on Easter 2002 and asked to be relieved of the direction ofthe mission while remaining on as Vicar.After a short time in Munich, in 2012 he returned to Switzerland and resumed his missionary activityin the Basel mission. Here too, however, he was visited by sickness: this time it was a tumor in the lungs.The tumor, which at first seemed healed, reappeared on March 2017 with the stroke, which within afew days caused his death.A member of his religious community offered this testimony.“His sagacious good nature, respectful of all, mostly of those in worse shape. A Scalabrinian happy to besuch and proved by his affability towards all the confreres with whom he lived. His innate creative lazi-ness was leading him to carve out time for silence, reading and contemplation. During the times of hissickness, he hung on to his intelligent good humor, which allowed him to face with serenity and prag-matism the most difficult moments… Thanks to his artistic vein, it was easy and natural for him to be ef-fective in catechesis, in dealing with the smallest and the youngest. His preaching, at times, was morelike a whisper, as if leaving to the Holy Spirit the task of impressing upon the souls the greatness andthe power of the Word of God.”At 24 , Fr. Armando wrote thus to the Provincial Superior asking to be admitted to minor orders: “I amno better clay than any other; I just hope to be more pliable. I don’t decide, I accept with trust. Detailsescape me, but I have the confidence of one who is being led and is in good hands. If I pass, I pass. Godled me thus far and surely He will lead me further; it will suffice to be obedient enough and to acceptthe gratuity of love. In this perspective, I too will be able to sing my Magnificat.” On May 9, 2017, beforethe Lord he began to sing his Magnificat .

Fr. Armando ORIOLI (66)

1977-1978 Vicar, It. Cath. Mission, Munich, Germany1979-1984 Vicar, It. Cath. Mission, Basel, Switzerland1984-1991 Vicar, It. Cath. Mission, Stuttgart, Germany1992-1993 Year of Updating in Rome, Italy1993-1999 Director, It. Cath. Mission, Solothurn, Switzerland1999-2003 Director, It. Cath. Mission, Stuttgart, Germany2003-2006 Vicar, It. Cath. Mission, Stuttgart, Germany2006-2012 Vicar, It. Cath. Mission, Munich, Germany2012-2017 Vicar, It. Cath. Mission, Basel, Switzerland, wherehe dies on March 9, 2017.

Born: Apr. 11, 1951, Mocasina, Brescia, ItalyFirst Prof.: Sept. 27, 1968, Crespano del Grappa, ItalyPer. Prof.: Dec. 8, 1975, Freiburg, SwitzerlandOrdained: Sept. 17, 1977, Mocasina, Brescia, ItalyDied: Mar. 9, 2017 Basel, Switzerland

Secondo Casarotto entered the seminary in Bassano del Grappa at the age of 11. At 15 he lost his dad in aroad accident. His 9 year-old sister was placed in a boarding school because his mother had to work to sur-vive. His sister became a nun with the name of Sr. Maria Teresa and has always been close to his brother inspite of geographical distance. His mother’s situation was a preoccupation that stayed with him always. Heentered the novitiate in Crespano del Grappa, where he took his first vows, he studied theology in Piacenza,where he was ordained to the priesthood in 1966. He was sent to the Province of St. Charles Borromeo andhis first assignment was St. Anthony parish in Everett, MA. Two years later he was assigned to O.L. of AllSouls parish in Hamilton, ON, Canada. Following the year of ongoing formation in Rome, he returned toCanada as Assistant to O. L. of Pompeii in Montréal, Québec. The process of adaptation was not easy: Italianemigration in Montréal was undergoing a transformation, with the second-generation becoming increasinglyAnglophone, as the first generation was abandoning the dream of returning to Italy. In addition, Fr. Secondo’ssomewhat difficult personality made it difficult to debate such challenges in community.From 1982 to 1985 he also tried a missionary experience in Australia, while remaining a member of theProvince of St. Charles. This, however, was just a parenthetical experience in the course of his ministry. Uponhis return to North America, following a short stay in Bristol, RI, he was sent to St. Anthony parish in Buffalo,NY first as administrator and then as pastor for 27 years until 2012 when he was assigned as chaplain toVilla Rosa nursing home in Bowie, Maryland.Taking part in community events was not a typical trait of his personality and his living by himself was seenas “the best solution for him,” as a Superior General wrote after a canonical visitation.The appreciation of his own people for his pastoral service was not lacking: he was untiring in his commit-ment, making use of his talents, culture, his writing skills and even his own sense of humor coupled with hisrigidity in defending his ideas and choices.He also drew cartoons and, as all artists do, he also at times was, consciously or not, autobiographical in hisart, showing that, with God’s grace, it is possible to smile over one’s own hurts (Fr. Secondo’s last few yearshave been far from pleasant). One thing can be said for sure: in the place God prepared for him there are nobroken windows but only windows of opportunity, such as he could never have imagined

Fr. Secondo CASAROTTO (76)

Born: May 20,1941 Arcugnano, Vicenza, ItalyFirst Profession: September 23, 1959 Crespano del Grappa, Treviso, ItalyPerp. Profession: October 4, 1963, Piacenza, ItalyPriest: March 1, 1966, Piacenza, ItalyDied: March 19, 2017, Laham, MD, USA

1967 - 1969 – Assistant at St. Anthony, Everett, MA, USA1969 - 1972 – Assistant at O.L. of All Souls, Hamilton, ON, Canada1972 - 1973 – year of ongoing formation, Rome, Italy1973 - 1976 – Assistant at O.L. of Pompeii, Montreal, PQ, Canada1976 - 1978 – Assistant at O.L. of All Souls, Hamilton, ON, Canada1979 - 1980 – Assistant at St. Peter, Syracuse, NY, USA1980 - 1981 – Pastor of O.L. of Mt. Carmel, Bristol, RI, USA1982 - 1985 – Pastor of Newcastle, NSW, Australia1985 - 2012 – Pastor of St. Anthony, Buffalo, NY, USA2012 - 2017 – Chaplain a Villa Rosa nursing home, Bowie, MD, USA

Amerio Ferrari was born the fourth of eight brothers in Ferriere, a Township in the Piacenza ApennineMountains, which bring to Scalabrinians the memory of the hardships faced by Blessed Scalabrini duringhis pastoral visitations. In 1946, at 13 years of age, from his humble and modest family, he entered theseminary in Bassano del Grappa. He continued with the novitiate in Crespano del Grappa, where he tookhis first vows in September 1955. Following his ordination in 1961, he was assigned to the Province ofthe Immaculate Conception, which then comprised France, Belgium and Luxembourg.The core of his missionary work was in two Italian Catholic Missions: Rue Jean Goujon in Paris for 16years and La Louviére in Belgium for 21 years. He died at 84 in the mission field on March 21, 2017, fol-lowing 10 days of coma brought on by a heart attack.He was a zealous missionary, always seeking community life: when he was in Belgium he chose to resideat Marchiènne-au-Pont to be with the confreres, even though his parish was 35 km away.He lived through the transformation of our missionary pastoral work for Italians in Belgium, aiding theirintegration: not an easy process for the missionary, as it means a gradual detachment from his own faith-ful, and entrusting to others one’s own friends. To this difficult process one must add a critical view ofthe “French styled” pastoral ministry, as he himself defines it; that is a type of ministry “which empha-sizes the sociological aspect, forgetting that above it all there is a Holy Spirit, which is mystery, and nota generic organization.”These are the words of a shepherd, who is not intent on pronouncing theological verdicts, but on ex-pressing his inner feelings. The people whom he served have always perceived and appreciated his pas-toral approach of closeness and co-participation.On the occasion of his transfer from Paris to Belgium, the parishioners tried to change the mind of thesuperiors, asserting that Fr. Amerio, “thanks to his manner of being, to his warmth, his joviality, his gen-erosity, his courage, the radiance of his Charism reaches out to all types of people, from the youngest tothe less young in all social categories.”He was aware that our presence with the Italian community in Belgium could not go on indefinitely,given the level of integration of the older migration and he was calling for (or “dreaming” as he wouldsay) the involvement of well-prepared Italian lay people in the pastoral units created by the diocese,faced with the problem of the lack of clergy. He was, however, also a realist: he could see the challenge,given that “the older generation is unable to accomplish this and the second generation has ceased topractice their religion.” With his own people he lived through the phenomenon of “Christianity in Europewhich is literally dying”, as stated by many of today’s attentive observers of religious practice.We are sure, however, that in order to experience the fullness of joy in his new place, he will not need tobe encouraged by Pope Francis’ words during this Easter 2017: “The Resurrection overcomes our sterilepessimisms.”

Fr. Amerio FERRARI (84)

Born: February 13, 1933, Ferriere, Piacenza, ItalyFirst Profession: September 20, 1955, Crespano del Grappa,

Treviso, ItalyPerp. Profession: October 4, 1958, Piacenza, ItalyPriest: March 18, 1961, Piacenza ItalyDied: March 21, 2017, La Louvière, Belgium

1961-1964 - Assistant at Italian Catholic Mission (ICM),Rue de Montreuil, Paris, France

1964-1966 - Assistant at ICM, Marchienne-au-Pont, Belgium1966-1967 - year of updating in Rome1967-1979 - Assistant at Carrière-sur-Seine, Versailles,

France1979-1995 - Pastor of ICM, Jean Goujon, Paris, France1996-2017 - Pastor of ICM, La Louvière, Belgium