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Brother Carlo Picco (1911-2005) Print E-mail
Written by Various   
Monday, 23 October 2006
Brother Carlo was born on March 18, 1911 at Priero di Cuneo, the son of Giovanni Picco and Virginia Musso. He entered the Congregation in 1949 at the age of 38 – until that time he had worked on his family farm. “I can hardly wait to become a member of your great family,” he wrote to Father Sandrone on the eve of his entry into the Congregation. He asked for advice on how to prepare himself spiritually for that event. “Should I review my catechism? I would very much like to know the history of the Congregation and of the Venerable Founder. If possible could you tell me of a book that speaks about this – I will write to the Motherhouse for a copy. During these long winter evenings I have much free time which will certainly try to spend profitably.”
After five months as an apprentice co-adjutor in Camerletto he asked the Superior General to be admitted to the novitiate. “During this time I have come to learn about the life you lead and what the rules require. Every day I appreciate more the missionary religious life and am grateful to God for having called me to this life.” His request was granted on October 31, 1950 and he entered the novitiate at Certosa. One year later – November 1, 1951 – he made his religious profession and consecrated himself to God.
His first assignment was the Brothers’ House at Alpignano where he did farm work. On August 13, 1955 he left for Brazil where he would work for forty-three years. In July 1998 he retired to Alpignano and on November 30, 2005 he went peacefully to Our Father’s House.
Father Tommaso Sottocorna, Superior of the House, presided at his funeral on December 2. Father Sottocorna spoke about Brother Carlo’s wonderful example of faithfulness to community practices and his spirit of prayer.
Father Silvano Sabatini preached the homily and recalled the first years of the mission in Rio do Oeste (1957-1979): Brother Carlo was a precious missionary who took an active but unobtrusive part in all the work that was done. He kept in the background and was called “Carlito” – not just because of his small stature but because of his unassuming manner as well. He was transferred to São Paulo where he remained until 1988 working as concierge and telephone operator at the Regional House. He then went back to Alpignano where he continued his work as telephone operator and concierge.
His body was laid to rest in the cemetery at Alpignano.
On November 11, 2001, the fiftieth anniversary of his religious profession the Superior General sent his congratulations. Brother Carlo replied: “I can never thank the Lord enough for having called me – if somewhat late in life – to be a missionary and having allowed me to live on the missions for so many years. Now as I approach the end of my life I am in so hospitable a house with comforts I never expected to find. I have the time to prepare myself for this final passage. Thanks to the Lord and to the Congregation which has given me so great a gift.”

Father Giuseppe Villa


Testimonial

In early 1956 Brother Carlo Picco was appointed assistant for the internal students at Patronato de São José in Erechim. One year later he was transferred to Rio do Oeste where he did manual labor in the São Francisco Xavier seminary. He remained there until 1976 doing household chores: field work, fruit and vegetable gardens, caring for livestock.
In February 1979 he left Rio do Oeste and went to São Paulo where he worked as concierge and telephone operator in the Regional House. In this position he helped a great many poor people over the years. Only God knows how many bowls of soup he gave beggars; he served them with his own hands – already trembling from so many years of work. He was unfailingly cheerful.
Brother Carlo Picco – or as we called him “Carlitos – left us a magnificent example of religious and missionary life. His spirituality was especially noteworthy. He was faithful and constant in carrying out his religious and Christian duties. He attached great importance to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and was faithful to daily Mass and common acts. Every evening after supper he spent much time praying in front of the tabernacle.
He was generous and reliable in his work. He carried out whatever job he was given with any problems. He kept himself up to date in the area of culture: he read a great deal enthusiastically, especially the publications of the Congregation. He attached special importance to the Superior General’s letters. He had a good memory and knew the names, birthdays, dates of profession and ordination of many of his confrères – and not just in Brazil but in other places as well. He was, in a sense, a “walking archives”: his ability to provide the names and dates of his missionary confrères was genuinely surprising.
The Brazilian Region is especially grateful to Brother Carlo for the magnificent example of religious and common life that he left us.

Father Jordão Maria Pessatti
Last Updated ( Monday, 23 October 2006 )