Fr. Mario Veronesi, s.x.

He Opened his Arms, and Died

Born at Rovereto, Trento, Italy,
on Nov. 10, 1912

Killed at Jessore, Bangladesh,
on April 4, 1971

Fr. Mario Veronesi, a missionary to East Pakistan (Bangladesh) for 19 years, was gunned down on April 4th by West Pakistan soldiers as he tried to calm panic-stricken people who were seeking refuge within the mission compound of Jessore. The soldiers began firing into the house as Fr. Veronesi walked out with his hands up, wearing a Red Cross badge. The troops then entered the church and shot four more people.