MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES

The front-page photo portrays a line of Venezuelan people crossing the border to Colombia via a trocha or muddy footpath that cuts across the scrubland covering the banks of the Tachira River, which forms the border between Venezuela and Colombia.

The photo represents the ordeal of so many millions of people who have to leave their countries because of war, violence, persecution, climate conditions or extreme poverty. A sympathetic welcoming attitude supports the possibility of starting a new life in a new home.

Read now

RADAR • FIRST COMBONI MISSIONARY BEATIFIED

Entrance procession of the Mass of the beatification of Blessed Giuseppe Ambrosoli at Kalongo, Uganda.

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

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.

Procession of gifts during the Eucharist.

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).

Fr Baritussio MCCJ, investigator for the causes of beatification in the Combon congregation, reads the papal approval of the recognition of Blessed Giuseppe Ambrosoli.

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.

Prominent human rights lawyer killed in ‘cold -blood ‘

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk has condemned the ‘cold-blooded killing’ of leading Eswatini human rights lawyer, Thulani Maseko, a pro-democracy activist shot dead in his home in the city of Mbabane on 21 January 2022

Read now

A defining moment for the Catholic Church

Pope Francis’ planned visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan in February 2023 intends to be a dialogue with African Catholics and to listen to political leaders and the youth.

Read now

Undocumented children do have the right to basic

A new school year has started in South Africa. Thousands of learners commenced their schooling and others returned in continued pursuit of their dreams. This glorious event should be celebrated. Unfortunately, circumstances arise where the right to basic education is undermined and learners run the risk of being denied to it. For example, Gayton McKenzie, mayor of the Central Karoo District and president of the Patriotic Alliance, has repeatedly expressed on Twitter that undocumented children “should not be allowed at all in schools in South Africa”.

Read now

Leave a Comment

Leave a Comment