Father Emilio was born at San Leonardo (Udine) in 1922, the son of Giuseppe and Cecilia Giacomina Chiuch.  He entered the Institute in 1934, made his religious profession in 1944 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1948.  He was immediately sent to Tanzania where he lived out his missionary ideals for 52 years. 

His mission commitment was characterized by energy, tenacity, hard work and order – he was a perfectionist.  As far as he was concerned problems did not exist.  There was only the mission.  Father Emilio served at so many missions – often in troubled times:  Tosamaganga, Ilula, Ujewa, Ulete, Chosi, Sadani, Kisinga, Kipengere, Matembwe, Igwachanya, Kifumbe, the Regional House at Iringa, Pawaga, Nyabula.  He was a genuine pioneer and founded the missions of Ulete (1956–1959), Chosi (1960-1964) and Kifumbe (1968-1979).

On his arrival in Tanzania (1949) he was appointed secretary of  Msgr. Attilio Beltramino, the Bishop of Iringa.   He wrote to Father Gaudenzio Barlassina, the Superior General, “Something I certainly didn’t expect was being the secretary – or quasi-secretary of the bishop.  All the same I am certain I am no less a missionary than the others because of this, and I will force myself to do the best I can at this job.  The ways of the Lord are many, and one can always be certain of doing good when one tries to do God’s will.

I won’t hide the fact that the first days in this job are hard, having to sit in office all day but my little sacrifice is rewarded a thousand times over every time I am in the cathedral and I witness the faith of these dear black people and when I say good-night to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament I feel myself full of joy.”

But it was in the hard work of founding and setting up a mission that Father Emilio really felt himself a missionary and was able to give his best.  In a letter he wrote to Father Domenico Fiorina, the Superior General on September 23, 1956, from Ulete where he was establishing a new mission, we read: “On May 25 I was assigned to Ulete to open the first daughter house of the “Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” in what would one day become the Bacon Factory.  I had to build a temporary hospital and oversee the cultivation and reforestation of 800 acres of land.

We have survived the early, difficult days, and can now say we are in good shape.  The water system will soon be completed.  In a few days we will lay the foundation of St. Joseph’s House for the Watawa.  The hospital is progressing nicely.  The furnace – no less than 60,000 bricks – will be ready within the week.  From June 20 to July 20  I left Ulete to take apart and then rebuild the prefabricated house for Ukiga.  On July 23  I was back at work in Ulete.  On August 12 the Bishop gave me additional, time-consuming work: to care for all the Christians at Makadupa-Kibena … Every Sunday I say the first Mass, lead meditation for the Watawa, hop on my motorbike and go to Makadupa (20 miles) or Kibena (6 ˝ miles) to offer that fervent community Mass and a word of encouragement.  Every time I go there I hear confessions for three hours.  After Mass there are baptisms, questions, etc.  When all goes well I am only able to break my Eucharistic fast at 1 o’clock in the afternoon.  As you can see, Father, there is no shortage of work … I am getting thinner every day.  For all this – I am happy and well.”

Time passed and Father Emilio continued to work, body and soul, for the missions.  In 1973 he celebrated the 25^th anniversary of his ordination – 24 of those years in Tanzania.  In a response to congratulations from Father Guido Motter, Vice-Superior General, he wrote: “After twenty-four years in Africa I am still happy in my consecration to the Lord and to others;  my only regret is that I cannot do more and do better.  May your prayers help me in this regard.”

In 1982 he was given permission to visit his brother in Canada, and in 1985 he visited relatives in Australia.  On both occasions he wrote letters of thanks to the Regional Superior.    He wrote about his activities  on vacation.  He mentioned that the long period away from his work was tiring and he was eager to return to Tanzania.  On March 3, 1999, after an absence that lasted from April 1998 to March 1999, he wrote: “Yesterday  I had my final colonoscopy exam.  I  passed and can now return to Africa.”  He passed the exam – but not with flying colors … return to Africa – not because he was cured but because this is what he wanted.  Some thought it imprudent.

In March 2000 the glands in his throat suddenly swelled and his physicians advised him to return to Italy immediately.  He told everyone that his heart and mind were still in Nyabula, his last mission.  He didn’t seem to realize just how serious his situation was – he was eager to return to Africa.

On his return to Italy he underwent an operation at Cottolengo.  On June 1, 2001 he moved into the infirmary in the Alpignano community.  His sister cared for him with love and on June 27, at 5:15 PM he went to the House of Our Father.  Memorial services were celebrated at Alpignano and in his hometown.  Fathers Giovanni Zabotti and Antonino Accoto presided at the celebrations.  At the Pastor’s request, his body was laid to rest in the cemetery of San Leonardo.

A missionary who had suffered much, and not just physically, had passed away.  From his high-school days he had suffered migraine headaches that certainly influenced his personality and his attitude.  A missionary of great energy and iron will has passed away.  He realized that without intimacy with God no apostolate would bear fruit.  For this reason he was intransigent on the amount of time necessary for prayer and spiritual growth.  He showed great sensitivity to the poor, whom he helped in a variety of ways but always with delicacy and discretion.

He wrote in his Will: “I continuously thank Our Lord and Our Lady , the Consolata, for the indescribable gift of life, for the numberless gifts of nature and grace that have enriched my life, and especially for the priceless gift of a vocation to the priesthood and the missionary life.

I thank all of my confrčres who have put up with my difficult personality.  I am certain that they will not let me leave this world before they have forgiven all the slights I may have offered them.  In spite of appearances I can affirm that I have always loved them.  I have harbored resentments towards no one  and will rely on the prayers of my confrčres for the repose of my soul.”  He left all his possessions to the poor people of Nyabula and to the Institute to help the seminaries of Morogoro and Mafinga.

Father Giuseppe Villa

Giuseppe Inverardi

and the editorial staff of Da Casa Madre

TESTIMONIAL

A hard-working man

Nervous and impulsive, generous and kind, straightforward and honest, hard-working and devout … these are all descriptions of Father Emilio at different times.  I lived with him for more than four years in the difficult mission of Pawaga.  The heat bothered him and gave him awful headaches.  The drums at night annoyed him so much that he would go on and on complaining about them – but in spite of these things he could be cheerful and sensitive especially towards the sick.

It was not always easy living with him but we developed a friendship that has lasted over time.  I learned so much from him.  I saw his faithfulness to prayer;  I saw how generous he could be in times of need, supportive in times of trouble and embarrassed when praised.

I have to admit that he was a hard-working man.  He was able to handle almost any situation – even when he lacked the means and tools.  In the long evenings at Pawaga he told me of his experiences as a pioneer and founder of missions during hard times. 

The last period of his life in Italy was a genuine Calvary.  His heart was still in Africa.  His final letters are full of nostalgia and a longing to return to the missions.

I thank him for his genuine affection, for having shared so many problems with me, for having introduced me to his friends.  I thank him for the example of simplicity, religious poverty, frugality and the ability to be happy with whatever was given him.  Thank you Father Emilio.

Father Franco Sordella