RADAR • FIRST COMBONI MISSIONARY BEATIFIED

A CHAMPION OF FAITH

The life of the Comboni missionary, Blessed Giuseppe Ambrosoli, is an inspiring example of tireless dedication to the spiritual and physical healing of the peoples of Uganda, following in the steps of love shown by his founder, St Daniel Comboni

BY OSWARD ATWIJUKYE, MCCJ | PIETERMARITZBURG
JOSEPH REBELCO, MCCJ | PHOTOS

GOD’S EXTRAORDINARY wonders continue to be revealed in humanity. Despite our limitations and fragilities, God still manifests His indescribable daily presence and mercy. What a gift for the people of Kalongo in the Archdiocese of Gulu, Northern Uganda and for the entire Church, was the beatification of the Venerable Servant of God, Dr Giuseppe Ambrosoli, on Sunday 20 November 2022! Thousands flocked to Kalongo Mission on a pilgrimage which started weeks before the beatification day, praying through the intercession of the Blessed-to-be. A medical

doctor by profession, Giuseppe Ambrosoli was born in Ronago, a small village in the province of Como, Italy, on 25 July 1923. He was ordained a priest on 17 December 1955. He did more by actions than words. He established the hospital and school of nursing and midwifery, mostly for the needy and the suffering, at Kalongo. He died on 27 March 1987 in Lira, Uganda at the age of 63.

Consoler of souls and bodies

Ambrosoli was trained in healing both souls and bodies. In his missionary service, he relied much on prayer, embracing it as the most important of all. In one of his spiritual exercises, he said: “Prayer is the oxygen for the youth” (Ambrosoli 1951). He healed the sick and the suffering by a daily and tireless attention to them. Dr Ambrosoli served in four major hospitals in Uganda from 1976 to 1978. Monday and Tuesday at Mulago; Wednesday and Thursday at Kalongo; Friday at Kitgum and Saturday at Lacor Hospital where, he said, by then, the weather and road conditions were very harsh. He passionately worked as God`s instrument, channelling hope among the suffering. He served with humility. From his spiritual exercises, he recognised: “All comes from God. God is my creator. God is everything. If nothing is from me, then I am nothing. Each one has a right to be recognized for what he or she is, and that applies first of all, to God. Give God adoration, homage, gratitude and love. If I have some talents, they are not just mine, and I cannot brag about them” (Ambrosoli 1950). Ambrosoli was convinced that the work he was doing was not his, but God’s. He, therefore, worked with the attitude of preserving, in favour of justice, human dignity and human rights.

A man for, by and with the people

Ambrosoli gave up his entire life for the service of the people without counting the cost. He understood the words of Jesus: “Anyone who wants to be a follower of mine must renounce self; take up his cross and follow me.Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake, and the sake of the Gospel, will save it” (Mk 8: 34, 35). His life was built on a strong foundation of self-sacrifice. In his spiritual exercises, he said: “I love and desire to sacrifice myself always; with the intention of the salvation of my soul” (Ambrosoli 1952). He offered his life back to God; he gave up his life as a price for God`s goodness to him. “When you do not know which way to choose, always take the one that will cost you more; that is the right way,” he said (Ambrosoli 1978–1987). Surely life belongs more to risktakers than comfort seekers and achievement or success comes out of a risk.

Love for the suffering ones

In his letter to Sr Santina Pelizzari, he said: “Certainly, if we look with the eyes of Christ, our little difficulties no longer worry us, but they become a source of apostolate and martyrdom” (Ambrosoli 1986). He desired to serve Christ in the suffering people. Ambrosoli understood that Christ is in the suffering. His God-given talents were put at the service of all, as he indicates: “I am the first that ought to tremble when I think of my talents which I have hidden underground, and of which I will have to give an exact account to the one who is infinitely merciful but also acts with justice. Let us pray that the Lord may be able with His grace to build His works upon the ruins of our miseries” (Ambrosoli 1947). These words are born out of constant meditation and selfless service following the example of his founder, St Daniel Comboni who once highlighted that: “A missionary is like a stone hidden underground and is hardly recognized, but has a strong foundation” (Writings DC 2701).

Mirror for the youth

Ambrosoli also hinted at what and how a youth should be. On purity and youthfulness in his spiritual exercises, he said: “A youth is as valuable as the purity he/she has within him/herself. If youthfulness is the springtime of life, the flower of this springtime is purity. If the flowers are ruined, the harvest is ruined. The men and women of tomorrow will come from the youth of today” (Ambrosoli 1951). He saw the potential of the youth to become great people; “the future is really unforeseeable. What is certain is that it is in the hands of God, and we would like to know how to make the most of everything for our growth in His love” (Ambrosoli 1987). For him, everything was because of God, nothing else. He stands as a living and inspiring model for the youth, the poor and suffering and for all. His feast will be celebrated on 28 July, as declared by Pope Francis.