FATHER DIONISIO FRANZOI

1928-2006

Father Dionisio was born the son of João Frazoi and Rosa Vendramin on April 15, 1928 in Rio do Sul (Santa Catarina – Brazil). He entered the Congregation in 1942 and began his novitiate at Sorocaba in 1950. In a letter to the Superior General that year he wrote: “Reverend Father, I am happy to begin my novitiate and will strive to make it the basis of my whole future life. Time is passing quickly here and I pray Jesus that not a single day will pass without profit. The resolutions made during the retreat, the holy teachings of our Father Founder – blessed by Our Lady – will bring me to a new life. I am committed to becoming a holy missionary of Mary.” (June 28, 1950). In 1951 he consecrated himself through religious profession and in 1954 he was ordained to the priesthood.

His entire apostolate took place in Brazil. From 1955 to 1962 he was an assistant and professor in the minor seminary in Jaú. He then engaged in parish ministry: pastor for one year at Pouso Redondo and then parochial vicar in Jaú until 1966. From that year until 1974 he was the superior of the seminary and parish priest in Rio do Oeste.

He was then the director of the São Manuel seminary for two years. In 1976 he was appointed the pastor in Pouso Redondo where he remained until 1988. His next assignment was as pastor and superior of the community in Rio do Oeste. From 1999 until 2004 he was in Curitiba as parochial vicar and assistant in the philosophy seminary.

Father Dionisio suffered from cirrhosis of the liver which became serious in early 2005 and he was transferred to the Regional House infirmary in São Paulo.

In January he went to visit relatives in Rio do Sul with a traveling companion. The first few days he was in good health and enjoyed the company of his sisters and nephews but then he suddenly grew sick. He was taken to the regional hospital where several of our confrères visited him. Dom José Jovêncio Balestieri, the Bishop of Rio do Sul, administered the Sacrament of the Sick and on the morning of January 26, 2006, Father Dionisio went back to our Father’s house.

His funeral was celebrated in the church of Santa Ana in Rio do Sul on January 26. The local Bishop presided at the service and Fathers Lírio Girardi (Regional Superior), Cláudio Cobalchini, Eugenio Butti and fifteen diocesan priests concelebrated. A large number of faithful and priests from nearby parishes where Father Dionisio had worked attended the ceremony.

Father Michelangelo Piovano writes: “Father Dionisio spent his whole life working in parishes and the seminaries that in the past educated young people attracted to the missionary life. People loved his simplicity and discretion. He was always attentive to the needs of those individuals and communities entrusted to his care. His apostolate was primarily one of personal contact, family visits and ministry in rural outstations. In the last years of his life – in spite of his health problems – he was always available for pastoral work: celebrating Mass, hearing confessions, visiting the sick. Students at the philosophy seminary loved him and admired his dedication. He was always ready to listen and take an interest in their formation.

He lived his last year at the Regional House in São Paulo and offered his physical sufferings and setbacks to the Lord.”

Father Dionisio’s body was laid to rest in his family plot in the Rio do Sul cemetery.

Fr Jordão Maria Pessatti, imc