(1936-2003)
Robert came from the Brianza region of Lombardy – half Comasco and half Milanese. He was born in Novate (Milan) on September 1, 1936, the son of Mario Viscardi and Rosa Cogliati. As was customary in the past he entered the institute at the age of twelve and studied in various houses of formation: middle and high school at Montevecchia, Benevagienna and Varallo Sesia; novitiate at Certosa di Pesio (1957-1958); two years of philosophy in Turin and Bevera (1958-1959); theology in Turin and ordination on December 21, 1963. During his years in the seminary Roberto established lasting friendships with his companions.
His formation directors expressed contrasting opinions in his regard – “Roberto loved liberty and could be headstrong.” One director described him as “excellent, cheerful, sensitive, a hard worker, healthy, dedicated and successful;” another director wrote, “somewhat distracted, aloof, does not apply himself, but he seems happy and carefree.” Yet another director wrote, “he is passionately interested in the fortunes of the Institute.” All things considered he was a good boy who was eager to be a missionary. He displayed these qualities in his time as assistant novice master in Bedizzole (1964) and later as a missionary in Kenya. Unlike others he did not have the good fortune to work in the interior villages where his friendly nature and openness would have brought him into contact with a wide range of people.
A missionary in Nairobi and London
His first experience as a missionary took place in a small church known as the “Italian Church” in Nairobi, frequented by everyone who lived in the neighborhood. The country had been independent for only a few years and migration from the countryside to the edges of the city had already begun. People sought better economic conditions in an urban environment. The really massive migration took place some years later. During Father Roberto’s time the “Italian Church” was becoming a parish, a place where various ethnic groups and new migrants came together. It was only years later that the diocese of Nairobi developed some sort of pastoral plan to handle this situation. Father Roberto was uncomfortable in this situation and suffered because of it. Added to his discomfort were concerns for the material needs of the parish that left him little time for the apostolate. In a letter to the Superior General he wrote, “Looking back on the past and looking honestly at the present I can say that I have learned very little about being a priest or a missionary in this place.” He had longed to do pastoral work since his youth, but his superiors did not think it wise to transfer him after so brief a stay.
His work as a priest in Nairobi lasted ten years (1965-1974) until he was asked to direct the Consolata community in London (1974-1975). Father Roberto found this transfer unpleasant. He was taken out of the small city of Nairobi and stuck in the narrow backstreets of the anonymous and smoky metropolis. He had no human or pastoral contact and was isolated in a dead-end street in the backwater of Camden Town. His London stay lasted only a few months. “I felt the need to leave Nairobi for some time,” he wrote, “but I now find myself in an even worse place.”
He wrote again to his superiors and made a formal request to return to Italy to think things over. “I understand your letter,” his superior responded, “and I am sorry that you are having these psychological problems.” It’s surprising that his superior found it easier to understand his letter than his feelings.
Father Roberto in the United States
Finally on June 14, 1975, Father Roberto was assigned to the United States where he would devote himself joyfully and enthusiastically to parish work in Buffalo (New York), Charlotte (North Carolina) and Grand Rapids (Michigan); he then did public relations (1978-1985) and regional administration (1988-1994) in Somerset (New Jersey).
He plunged into work without restraint and revealed those qualities that endeared him to friends and colleagues. He saw life through cheerful eyes and made it pleasant with his jokes and sense of humor. His singing was especially pleasing.
Fathers Rino Aiardi and Louis Abdo, friends and co-workers, wrote: “Father Roberto was a gentleman. He was cheerful, charitable and solicitous. His love of music frequently led to bursts of song – and he was genuinely talented. His easy laughter was contagious. In his head, heart and voice, Father Roberto was a happy priest and Consolata Missionary.”
Father Ermenegildo Crespi: “I spent twelve years with Father Roberto at Varallo Sesia, Certosa Pesio and Turin and then obedience separated us until we met again in 1987 in America. It was easy to be his friend – we used to call him “Visca.” He was always smiling and optimistic, quick to help and generous, humble and modest.”
Aventino Oliveira adds: “People felt good in his company. His joy was human, priestly and missionary.” “He could brighten any situation” one of his friends said. Father John Serafino praised his talents as a cook, singer, story-teller, priest and friend.
In 1994 during the annual aggiornamento course in Rome Father Roberto joined others in a visit to the Holy Land. He fell ill in Jerusalem and was sent to the Umberto I Hospital in Rome. Doctors discovered and operated on a progressive tumor. He underwent chemotherapy for some time and only in 2000 was he able to return to the United States. He worked in the diocese of San Bernardino as administrator of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Riverside and at St. Adelaide Parish in Highland. His health was deteriorating and he had to undergo further chemotherapy sessions. He lost a great deal of weight and became increasingly weaker. The time came for him to sing his last song for his relatives and friends – three o’clock in the afternoon on October 4, 2003.
Confrères, friends and parishioners mourned his passing. This was especially true of the Tamborini family who was very close to Father Roberto. Mrs. Angela Tamborini wrote to her sister – Sister Rosalberta, a Consolata Missionary, “At a time in my life when I had lost all faith in others Father Roberto came to my aid and helped restore my confidence.”
A touching farewell to Father Roberto came from Sister Adalberta: “I am so proud of him,” she wrote. “We were the last two members of the family and we were always close. We loved each other and shared our secrets. Roberto was good natured, understanding, big hearted and sensitive to the needs of others. He could sympathize and forgive. He prayed a great deal – even when we took walks together on vacations. The breviary, the bible and the rosary were his constant companions. Death has taken away the person I loved most. I find comfort in the thought that Roberto is in God’s hands and that he is always near me.”
Giovanni Tebaldi
