FATHER SILVIO TRUCCHI

1921 – 2006

Father Silvio, the son of Mario Trucchi and Chiarella Iride, was born on June 18, 1921 in Ponte dell’Olio (Piacenza – Italy). He came to our Congregation from the Genoa Theological Seminary in 1943, made his religious profession in 1944 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1947.

He was sent to Tanzania where he would spend his whole missionary life: 58 years devoted to the parish apostolate. He was the assistant pastor in Nyabula (1948-1951) and then pastor in Kaning’ombe (1952-1967), Chosi (1968-1978), Kilolo (1979-1991) and Igwachaya. In 1996 he did parish work in Tosamaganga and the following year in Iringa.

For three years he lived in Mtandika as chaplain for the Teresian Sisters. When he grew sick the sisters took care of him until his death. Three days before his death he felt pain – it was recurring malaria. He could barely speak on Sunday morning, May 7^th, was anointed and received the Holy Eucharist. His condition deteriorated and at 2 that afternoon he kissed a picture of Blessed Allamano, an image of Our Lady, the crucifix and breathed his last.

Father Trucchi was 85 years old and had spent the 58 years of his priesthood as a missionary in Tanzania. He felt a part of the Tanzanian Church and wanted to remain there to the end. He often said that it was a good thing for a missionary to die and be buried among the people he had served. His death and burial in Tanzania was a sign of his great love for the Tanzanian people. The Lord heard his prayer.

Father Trucchi was a typical Gospel worker – once he had put his hand to the plough he never looked back. The parish and the mission he served were ever uppermost in his mind and heart. He was a jack-of-all-trades: he did manual work, pastoral work and visited the “jumuiya ndogo ndogo” continually. He did all he could to build up the Church and the Kingdom of God.

His funeral was celebrated on Tuesday, May 9, at 10 AM. Msgr. Tarcisius, the Bishop of Iringa, presided at the Mass. He was accompanied by 45 priests, twenty of whom were Consolata Missionaries. Many Teresian Sisters, nuns from other groups, young people and Christians attended the service. Father Silvio Trucchi was buried in the Tosamaganga cemetery alongside so many other male and female Consolata Missionaries.

Fr Giacomo Baccanelli, imc

TESTIMONIAL

I have known Father Silvio Trucchi since long ago 1954 and we have worked together. I can affirm that he lived his consecration to the Lord to the very end. His was a life of prayer and work for good. In his final years he accepted suffering as the Will of God. Father Trucchi spent his life as a missionary for the people. He loved people and through friendship and charity he strove to improve their material and spiritual condition. On June 7^th I attended a memorial Mass celebrated in his first mission – Kaning’ombe – a place dear to his heart. A large number of people attended the memorial and there were many testimonials from representatives of the other places he worked: Kilolo and Chosi.

Fr Giovanni Giorda, imc