1911-2004

Father Giuseppe was the son of Giovanni Battista Mina and Margherita Fissore. He was born on April 10, 1911 in San Lorenzo di Fossano. As a young man he worked as a sculptor and professional inlay artisan and was the first president of the Pier Giorgio Frassati Parish Catholic Youth Group. His spiritual director was Don Michele Pellegrino, the future Cardinal Archbishop of Turin, who helped him discern his own priestly vocation. In 1933 at the age of 22 he entered our Congregation at Favria Canavese. In 1938 he made his religious profession and consecrated himself to God and in 1942 he was ordained to the priesthood.
In 2002 on the sixtieth anniversary of his ordination he published “Momenti per dire grazie al Dono” [Occasions to Say Thanks for the Gift]. This was an episodic account of his long life beginning with the time God called him at 18 and his ordination in 1942. It was a life where God’s plan did not always correspond to his own expectations – but a life for which he was nevertheless grateful to God. It covered the ninety years he had lived up to that point.

The Founder
Speaking about our Founder he would relate, “My mother subscribed to the “Bollettino Missioni Consolata.” I was 15 years old when I read there about the death of Giuseppe Allamano. I made no effort to learn anything more about the man. I was passing from adolescence to young manhood and my head was full of all sorts of ideas that made my mother worry.
After I entered the Congregation I came to realize that many of my contemporaries knew Allamano personally. They had known him since they were 10 or 11 years old when they were students in the San Paolo Minor Seminary.
I entered the congregation at the age of 22 and became fascinated by the figure of Father Allamano – I was presumptuous enough to think I knew all there was to know about him. I loved him and tried to follow his teaching. I set my sights high – on holiness. I found his slogan “First saints then missionaries” challenging. I thought back to 1926 when I had learned of his death … his final “amen”, his whispered “Ave”. It was a fitting conclusion to a life I tried in every way to imitate – he was a Father, a man of God, of the Church and of the universal mission of salvation.”

Confrčres
“I have met hundreds of Fathers and have lived for long periods with some of them – others I knew on the missions. More than 500 of my companions have passed on. I treasure their memory – not so much the memory of flesh and blood but rather the memory of their efforts to live out their vocation ad gentes… The family of which I was a member was not perfect but I encountered so much good will and devotion in those I lived with. I still recall the cooperation and support I found when we worked together and tried to achieve something.”

The Mission
After ordination Father Mina pursued an apostolate in formation as an assistant, prefect and spiritual director at Cereseto, Comotto, Rovereto and Vittorio Veneto (1942-1948). He wrote, “After ordination I wanted to take off for the missions but my superiors assigned me to the work of training future missionaries: I could not escape this work – even if I tried.
I worked as an assistant for young people for years and later was involved in direction. Several of these years were during the Second World War with all the hardship that involved. Our Fathers were committed to helping young men realize their vocations in situations that were often desperate. The students too, for the most part, were committed to protecting their vocation.”
In 1948 he began training co-adjutor brothers as director in Varallo Sesia and Camerletto. Later “I became the director of co-adjutor brothers at Alpignano. I did everything I could to foster their ideals. Building the house and establishing the professional training courses took six years. Once the Casa dei Fratelli [House of the Brothers] was launched I became the Novice Master at Certosa di Pesio.”
The following year Father Mina was assigned to Kenya where he worked six years establishing Catholic Action in the diocese of Nyeri. During that time Msgr. Carlo Cavallera was succeeded by Msgr. Gatimu as bishop.
After six years of intense labor the association had a staff of African diocesan directors and was well established in all the missions. It employed a simple methodology which suited the Africans. Thanks to his work in consciousness raising Africans are being sent abroad for social studies. The Catholic Teacher Movement has likewise benefited from the annual retreats he organized. “In those days of intensive work and urgency I came to know and appreciate outstanding priests – Msgr. Carlo Cavallera especially – who made an unforgettable impression on me. I only regret that after so many years of eager expectation my time with them was so short.”

The Brothers
“It was a special grace that I was able to live close to the brothers, both in Italy and in the missions. They were not just capable workers – their simple humanity would brighten up even the gloomiest day.
I had always liked the brothers – now I respected them. They made our time together as beautiful as family life. When I was assigned to work with them at Castello di Alpignano I was very enthusiastic – I had a chance to construct a modern building and launch professional training courses for missionary work. We were, however, destitute. The Motherhouse had been completely destroyed by bombs. Father Domenico Fiorina, the new, broad-minded Superior General said, “If you are so inclined, go ahead, we’ll give you a hand.” We embraced this challenge; old and young together we went ahead and built the House. Before it was even finished the state approved courses had begun. Things were moving forward; vocations were being nurtured; people were leaving for the missions in Africa and America – brothers who would build cathedrals, roads, houses, schools, bridges … we were building a civilization of love.”

Novice Master
“After my second three-year term as Director of the Alpignano House I was sent to Certosa di Pesio as novice master. I had almost given up any hope of going to Africa – I was 45 years old. My innate desire to convince young people of the beauty of a missionary vocation carried me forward. I tried to engage them in constructive dialogue. The novice is himself the agent of his own formation – life’s experience is of little use if it is not assimilated. Gradually the novice’s journey moves forward and he encounters Christ, the Congregation and the Missions.”

At the Motherhouse
Once his work as novice master was concluded, Father Mina was appointed superior of the Alpignano House (1970 – 1972). Then, on account of cardiovascular illness, he remained at the motherhouse for twenty years (1973-1994) during which time he devoted himself to pastoral ministry and various organizations helping outsiders. His work with the Dame delle Missioni [Mission’s Auxiliary Ladies] and the Amici delle Missioni [Friends of the Missions] was especially noteworthy. He worked also as an ecclesiastical consultant to API COLF (Associazione Professionale Italiana Collaboratrici Familiari – Sezione Torino [Italian Professional Association of Houseworkers – Turin Division]).

Writer
Father Mina was a spirited and prolific writer. As the official Motherhouse correspondent for Da Casa Madre his articles were full of wit and wisdom. He wrote the profiles for many of our deceased confrčres and captured the essence of their personalities and life work with insight and charity. Later these profiles became genuine biographies published by EMI in the Uomini e Missione [Men and Mission] series. Most notable of these pocket biographies were: Un Cencio per Dio [God’s Rag] – Father Vincenzo Dolza; Un uomo fatto missione [A Man’s Mission] – Father Antonio Barbero; Ad ognuno la sua stella [Each Man Follows His Star] – Father Ernesto Girardino; Un missionario di fuoco [A Missionary of Fire] – Father Lorenzo Sales, etc.
Two of his published works are especially noteworthy: La beatitudine di essere secondo [The Joy of Being Second] – a life of Giacomo Camisassa, our co-founder, written in collaboration with Sister Gian Paola and Quando la missione invade la vita [When the Missions Take Over One’s Life] – the life of our Founder written in collaboration with Father Lino Zamuner.

At Alpignano
In 1994 for reasons of old age and health he retired to Alpignano for good where he continued his writing. In 2001 he was almost 90 years old. To anyone who asked what was the meaning of a life devoted to the missions he would respond: “Actually I didn’t plan my 90 years – nor did I know what the missions were. One thing I remember from my salad years – I liked being alive, I liked spending time with my friends, I liked young women. I was not thinking of a consecrated life or an encounter with Jesus. God knew that deep down I loved him. At the age of 18 – a time for choices – I began to think of my future and at the age of 22 I entered the Consolata Missionaries. I have no regrets and would do it all over again.”
When asked what was the secret of his youthful energy he would reply: “Personally I am convinced that one does not die of a sickness – but rather when God calls one. Some are called early, some later and some unexpectedly. Several times I was about to die – but I survived. Life is not something to be wasted. Your heart makes you young. Be like children – do not lose the sense of wonder. Live out your thanks – this is a song to life.” He would reaffirm his unconditional love for Allamano who closed his life with Amen and a whispered Ave. “These words constituted a synthesis of his life and I have always tried to be like him: a Father, a man of God, of the Church and of the universal mission of salvation.”
In his retreat at Alpignano he was by no means cut off from the world. He continued to observe the human comedy that unfolded around him. It made him thank and praise the Lord. He was marvelously open to the “Gospel of tenderness” – it was an undiscovered land, possibly a better world aborning. He wondered at the beauties of this world; he sang of the mountains surrounding his retreat in songs praising God. He returned to the place – Certosa di Santa Maria – where he had spent long years working for the Congregation. He found new life there and relived his youth, a gift of the Holy Spirit. He understood a great truth: whether one is old or young life is beautiful if one loves.
“Today is so different from my yesterday
At ninety years of age
I don’t know why I am back at Certosa
… though my step may falter, my mind does not
I enjoy the rhythms of youth
Which I sing and hear
They are the castanets and cymbals of the Holy Spirit
I feel that beautiful is the day
When what it matters most is to love.”

Departure
On October 28, 2004, the Lord called him home. Crowds of people came to his funeral: Brothers, Sisters, Mission’s Auxiliary Ladies, friends and relatives. The Mass was celebrated on Saturday, the 30th in the parish church of Alpignano. Father Norberto Louro, General Councilor, presided. Father Franco Gioda, Regional Superior, read a message from Father General who was conducting visitation in the Congo. “I feel we have lost a missionary whose writings and work have been of incomparable service to the Congregation and to the cause of the missions. That inner fire Allamano so often mentioned was in Father Mina’s heart. He was famous for the many causes he defended and wrote about.” Msgr. Franco Peradotto, Rector of the Consolata Sanctuary and the Vice-Superior of the Consolata Sisters spoke about their respect for Father Mina.
“My soul magnifies the Lord …” Father Mina is in heaven singing God’s praises. Carrying out his wishes we sing the Magnificat in thanksgiving to God for having given him to the Congregation, the Church and the world.
Editors Da Casa Madre.