1913-2003

Father Francesco was born on February 11, 1913 in Mori (TN) the son of Ermanno Cattoi and Camilla Tranquillini.  In 1929 he was part of the “flock of eaglets” who arrived in Turin from Madonna del Monte in Rovereto.  He made his religious profession at Rosignano in 1931 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1936.  In 1937 he arrived in Tanganyika and worked there unobtrusively for 63 years. 

From 1937 to 1948 he was the assistant pastor at different missions:  Madibira, Wasa, Mdabulo and Ujewa.  From 1948 to 1966 he was the pastor in Matembwe.  From 1966 to 2000 he continued his missionary apostolate as  assistant pastor in Sadani, Madibira and Kifumbe and on May 19, 2000 he retired to Alpignano. 

In 2001 Father Piero Trabucco, the Superior General congratulated him on the seventieth anniversary of his profession and Father Francesco responded:  “I want to thank you and ask your help in  thanking  Our Lord and Our Lady, the Consolata.  Seventy years are a long time and I don’t know how to thank the Institute and all those who helped me receive so many graces. I was in Africa for 63 years – I lived my life in Tanzania.  I was so taken up  in apostolic and welfare work that before I realized it I was 88 years old.  Now I live a life of prayer and sacrifice in Alpignano.  I am preparing for the call from the Lord of the harvest to come and receive my reward.  He will grant me this reward in spite of my shortcomings.  I thank you and ask for your prayers that I may join all the other missionaries in heaven”.

On May 8, 2003, at 6:55 PM assisted by Father Genta Father Francesco returned to Our Father’s House.

Father Alessandro Di Martino celebrated his funeral Mass on May 10.  He described Father Francesco as a meek and submissive missionary who loved his people and was eager to help them.  He was meticulous in fulfilling the obligations of religious life.  “When he was appointed the superior at Matembwe,  an isolated mission in Lutheran territory, he found his position difficult and had to employ all his resources and ingenuity to gain acceptance for a Catholic mission.  Only he knows what sufferings he endured.”

In a 1958 letter to the Superior General he spoke about his problems.  “I find it hard to work among the Lutherans and with these people who are becoming increasingly materialist.  I believe almost eighty percent of the adult population has gone off to work in the city – the land produces nothing.  The schools are working well but our struggle with the Lutherans is still pretty serious.  They make us close a school in one place and open another somewhere else.  I can only hope that by scattering good seed some will take root”. He was well aware of his limitations and admitted to the Bishop – “I do not have the heart of a lion.”

Father Di Martino went on to say, “His too timid nature coupled with his lack of apparent success in so difficult an environment led him to take second place throughout his life.  His daily contact with people led to a deep appreciation of their culture;  his love of nature contributed to his expertise in local botany. 

Even now it is difficult to acquire a clear picture of Father Cattoi as a missionary.  One wonders if this hidden and reticent life was appropriate for a missionary?  Certainly not – but there was so much more:  his love, his passion for the missions that lasted 63 years and his scrupulous religious observance – these provided the solid foundation of his life.

He had no degrees but was a man of faith, a priest’s priest and a missionary’s missionary.  He may not have major accomplishments of which to boast nor monuments to his apostolate but his little acts of charity were many – and these too count in the eyes of God.”

At this point Father Giuseppe Bargetto spoke.  He and Father Cattoi had been friends for thirty years. 

His face was drawn and his eyes shone as he tried to explain what he felt.  He had not cried since his mother’s death but was beginning to feel the urge to cry and could not contain himself.  He recalled that shortly after his arrival in Tanganyika in 1950 Msgr. Beltramino appointed him Father Cattoi’s assistant in  Matembwe.  The mission was 100 km from headquarters on the side of a hill surrounded by thousands of eucalyptus trees that shielded it from the wind.

With great simplicity and confidence the pastor suggested that he go to a nearby mill.  It was an arduous task to take sacks of grain to be milled and then return with the sacks on donkeys that carried their burden patiently and without much bucking.  The strong assistant took over other of the more physical tasks and freed the parish priest for pastoral work and catechism.  Father Cattoi had the time to cultivate his vegetable garden – something he did passionately.

The needs of the mission separated the two but they met up again at Sadani and Kifumbe.  Both had endured peaceful times rich with sharing;  coming together again gave them a chance to renew their friendship and share their experiences in proclaiming the Gospel.

Subsequently Father Francesco was forced to leave Africa and return to Italy.  For reasons of health Father Bargetto soon followed him.  By the time Father Giuseppe Bargetto reached the end of his testimonial he was in tears.  This did not surprise us;  his long account impressed us with the importance of friendship and fraternity in the life of a missionary.  Our Founder wept when his companion of 42 years,  Giacomo Camisassa, died.  In the family tears can be a form of liturgy expressing faith and love.

Father Cattoi’s remains were laid to rest in the cemetery of Alpignano.

Father Giuseppe Villa

Father Giuseppe Mina

and the Editorial Staff of Da Casa Madre