wasn’t at the airport to wish him “good luck” and share some joyful tears.
And I didn’t talk to him long enough to convince him to go or stay.
Over the past four years I wondered about his health, like anyone would.
To live in Africa, I thought, is not for everyone, and he was always the
one who got sick the most in my family.
Yes, Faustino, my younger brother, has made another step toward priesthood in the Xaverian family. On November 30th, 1997, he received the order of Diaconate together with four Marist missionaries at St. Anne Parish, Yaounde, Cameroon. And together with my proud parents from Italy, I joined in his celebration in this Central African country.
It was a dream come true for me and my parents. It has been 8 years since we were all together, and our paths didn’t cross too often, even growing up. He is my “kid brother,” the one I know less because he was young when I started considering religious missionary life and priesthood, and left my family behind. Faustino, in that far remote place of Africa; I’m here in the States; and our mom and dad enjoy their retirement in Italy.
In the midst of the evident poverty I witnessed, I could also see the profound dignity of the people of Cameroon who, against all odds, are able to celebrate with natural joy and inner strength.
But we came together once again, for 15 days of joy and celebration. Imagine a 4-hour Eucharist in 4 different languages to accommodate over 1,000 people who took active part at this special Mass of Thanksgiving. Five deacons, from Togo, Cameroon, Nigeria, Congo and Italy, committing themselves to service in the church. An offertory procession that lasted 45 minutes, rich with gifts of nature and dance. Songs with rhythms I have never heard, choirs and congregation united in prayers and hymns. Many languages, people from different walks of life, gathered around the Banquet of the Lord, this time a Banquet decorated with the Tree of Peace, colorful plants, and local fruits.
In the midst of the evident poverty I witnessed in my two-week visit with my parents, I could also see the profound dignity of the people of Cameroon who, against all odds, are able to celebrate with natural joy and inner strength. They thanked us for coming, invited us into their homes, and shared their daily crosses. We have seen how alive is the church in this part of Africa, how much hope there is even in bare houses.
The theology community of Yaounde became our place to rest and reflect. My dad took entire afternoons to recall and write in his journal the experiences of the day. My mom, in her quiet way, reflected in silence, helped out with chores, treasured in her heart these moments. They were asked to give witness talks to couples, to packed churches, to small Christian communities. “How does it feel to be the parents of two children whom you have given to God?” And in their simple words, my mom and dad answered: “Since the day they were born, we knew God sent them to us. It is not just these two who are given to God, but all five of them belong to God!”
At the end of our sharing, we sang songs from our native land. Just a great reminder that through song God speaks to the heart of all.
We departed with tears in our eyes, for we knew the time was brief. But we found a family in that little corner of Africa, and more brothers and sisters to pray for and love. It is true: if we follow the Lord, a hundred fold will be given to us.
(From Xaverian Mission Newsletter)