(1941-2004)

Father Alberto was born on February 7, 1941, the son of Aristide Geremia Salomoni and Elvira Sodi at Gabbioneta B. (Cremona). He graduated as an accountant and worked in office for several years. In 1985 he entered the Institute at Bedizzole and remained in that house for a few months. He then studied philosophy at Rivoli. In 1987 he made his profession and consecrated himself to God. In 1990 at the age of 49 he was ordained to the priesthood and sent to Argentina to do parish work: San Francisco (1990-1995); Machagai and Palo Santo (1995-1999). From 2000 to 2003 he was in charge of the Regional House in Buenos Aires.
A tumor was discovered in July 2003 and he returned to Italy. On January 29, 2004 he went back to Our Father’s House.
The funeral took place on February 2 in Leno, his adopted hometown. Father Giano Benedetti, General Councilor, presided at the Eucharistic Celebration. Confrères, sisters, Msgr. Spertini representing the bishop and many priests attended the service. Friends from local missionary groups who had supported him in the past came to the funeral. The pastor, Msgr. Giovanbattista Targhetti, is a good friend of his family and of our missionaries. Father Alberto’s body was laid to rest in the family tomb in the cemetery at Bonemerse.
Editors

A Second Calling
The sign over the entry reads: “Consolata Missionaries – Seminary for Young and Adult Vocations.” To tell the truth many have seen this sign without paying too much attention. Alberto Salomoni, the accountant, read it only once and that was enough.
He screwed up his courage, went to Father Giuseppe Villa and made a request that was not easy. He was forty-four years old, his future was assured and he was surrounded by friends and family who loved him.
He had been speaking with Don Renato Musatti (curate at Gambara (BS) and leader of a missionary group) for some time about the possibility of becoming a priest. He was more and more attracted to the idea of dedicating his life to the poor and the missions. His vocation was something he hadn’t taken into account during his eighteen years as an accountant. It was an unforeseen gift to be exploited as soon as possible.
He had encountered the poor on his trips to Africa and Asia. These trips had been an enticement. What started out as tourism ended up as enthusiasm for the missions – an enthusiasm he shared with his associates in the Gambara missionary group.
His faith, on the other hand, had always been there. He had inherited it from a family whose daily life reflected a living faith and as he grew older his faith grew deeper. His efforts to make sense of his work, relationships, short and long term projects, daily endeavors, the ups and downs of life in the world – all these things gave depth to his religious experience.
Eventually Alberto reached the moment of response to the Lord. Let others say and think what they like …
Some eighteen months later studying philosophy in the seminary he wrote to the superior who had received him saying he was ready to enter the novitiate. “The mystery of the Cross may be a burden but it is also a sign of freedom; for this reason I would be happy to give up my earthly belongings and take on the riches of Christ. I am certainly not a young plant that needs special care. I have an enormous amount of baggage: past experiences, ingrained defects that will require perseverance and patience if they are to be eliminated. The Holy Spirit is the advocate who resolves even the most difficult problems and brings consolation to the soul; He will make up for my shortcomings. I entrust my problems and doubts to Him. Through prayer I will see setbacks for what they are: the Lord is helping me to mature, give up my false security and abandon myself to His Will. I rely on Our Blessed Lady who helps the weak and inept – like myself – who seek her aid.”
For Alberto this was a decisive step: once one has put his hand to the plough he must not look back. There was no room for doubt and uncertainty. He had an emotional, volatile and energetic personality. He was impulsive, tireless and eager – like a “violent wind” (ventarrón) as they say in Argentina. He could also be affectionate, concerned, paternal and maternal at the same time.
Above all his heart was pure, simple and straightforward – qualities that characterized him to the very end. He was without guile or self-interest. He had but one goal: the glory of God and the welfare of the needy. He was what Blessed Joseph Allamano wanted all of us to be: simple!
He made his novitiate in Vittorio Veneto and then studied theology in Bogotá (1987-1990) where he learned Spanish and gained first-hand experience of Latin America. On December 1, 1990, he was ordained to the priesthood. It was the happiest time of his life. He exercised and relished his priesthood among his own people while he prepared for departure. Relatives, friends, colleagues, parishioners and fellow missionaries all attest to his eagerness to reach Argentina, his first assignment, as soon as possible. This time he was leaving as a Consolata Missionary, not as a tourist or student. He left with a crucifix (his burden and his freedom ) in hand responding to the missionary imperative.
After working in the parishes of San Francisco, Machagai and Palo Santo, he was then asked to direct and set in order the provincial house in Buenos Aires. As was his custom he spared no effort in carrying out his task – serving the Lord and meeting the needs of the people were foremost in his mind. He spent ten years mindless of the sacrifices involved or the damage to his health.
He then entered a new phase of life as an apostle: the sickness and suffering that would bring him low in less than three years. Father Alberto did not just proclaim the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord as an apostle among the people, he lived them in his own body. His human journey came to a peaceful end precisely at the moment that his tumor was causing him the greatest mental and physical suffering. The indefatigable, impulsive worker (the violent wind) is now forever at peace.
It took time for Father Alberto to interrupt his successful career and seek out the Lord in the silence of his conscience and his heart. He began a dialogue with the Lord, a prayer that gradually brought the gift of faith and the readiness to abandon himself to God’s Will. He embarked on another sort of career, the path of charity among the people; he served wholeheartedly and held nothing back.
To serve in all things, the small and the great. When Father Alberto was young and vigorous he raised consciousness and money for his welfare projects. When he was weak and terminally ill he continued this work. He was at the end of his life – he could barely manage to eat – and still he inspired all those around him with confidence. With a hoe in hand he worked in the vegetable garden at Alpignano and gathered flowers for the house. He faced his sickness realistically and obeyed his doctors. All the same he worked to the very end and in service he found peace.
As it is written:
The fruit of silence is prayer,
the fruit of prayer is faith,
the fruit of faith is charity,
the fruit of charity is service,
the fruit of service is peace.
In the final days Father Alberto spoke of his imminent death with amazing lucidity. He spoke to his relatives about what would happen when he was no longer in their midst. He gave them courage and helped them plan his funeral.
I can personally testify that we prayed for a miracle through the intercession of Blessed Allamano – but no miracle occurred. Instead he was given the peace the tireless servant deserves; the peace of the bridegroom’s friend who is finally at his side; the peace of the apostle who has run the race and sees the triumph and the laurels.
Father Alberto’s voice was no longer forceful and sure as in the early days of his vocation, but the same prayer issued from his lips: Take me, Lord.
Father Giano Benedetti