FATHER LORENZO STIMOLI

1928 – 2006

Father Lorenzo was born on January 11, 1928, the son of Carmelo Stimoli and Maria Biondi in Biancavilla (Catania – Italy). In 1947 at the age of 19 he entered our Congregation in Cereseto. In 1951 he consecrated himself to God and the missions and in 1955 he was ordained to the priesthood. He spent a year at Fatima in Portugal and then left for Mozambique. He began his work in Lourenço Marques (Maputo) in parishes on the outskirts of the city: Costanheira (1956-57), Matola and 1957 to 1959 in Machava. In 1960 he was assigned to the missions of Sul do Save (Inhambane) first in Mapinhane and the as pastor and superior in Maimelane. Here he did his very best work preaching the Gospel in a very difficult region. He built the mission structures – especially the church which is a real jewel. They were years of intense apostolic activity and development in the area.

In 1975 after FRELIMO came to power he returned to Italy and worked in the Sanctuary-Parish of Santa Maria a Mare (Porto San Giorgio) until 1991. He was then assigned to promotion work and pastoral activity in other communities: Martina Franca, Gambettola, Bedizzole and once more at Santa Maria a Mare (2004) where people knew him well and he felt at home. After the Epiphany he asked if he could spend time in Sicily with his sick sisters. He died suddenly on February 18 – an unforeseen heart attack sent him home to Our Father. He was now in the presence of the Lord he had so long preached and sought.

He was a man of profound humanity who was genuinely friendly and liked people. He was always ready to engage in dialogue. He never took offence and focused on life’s essentials with a healthy sense of humor. He was not an intellectual but a worker. He was not an ideologue but a practical man. There was no problem he could not resolve and this was enormously helpful, not just in Africa but in his daily community and apostolic life.

He spent a year in Jerusalem in study and spiritual renewal. This first hand contact with the world of the Bible was something that fascinated him. In his conversation and preaching he made constant reference to this life-changing experience. He was called back to God in the midst of his every-day activities. His death was sudden and unforeseen but his whole life, however, had been one of faith: “I have served the Lord with humility in tears and trials” St Paul told the elders of Miletus at the end of his apostolic journeys. This could be said of all the Lord’s apostles and we can certainly say as much for Father Lorenzo: he served the Lord in his humility and daily life.

His funeral was celebrated at Adrano on Monday, February 20 at 3:30 in the afternoon. Father Franco Gioda, the Regional Superior, presided. Priests from neighboring parishes concelebrated. Father Lorenzo was laid to rest in his hometown cemetery.

Fr Franco Gioda, imc