One day, leaving the monastery, St. Francis met Brother Ginepro: “Brother Ginepro,” he said, “come, let us go and preach.” Brother Ginepro agreed. They walked around the city, praying silently for those who worked in shops and gardens. They smiled at the children, especially the poorest ones. They exchanged a few words with the elderly. They caressed the sick. They helped those in need.
After crossing the city several times, “Friar Ginepro,” said Francis, “it’s time to return to the monastery.” “What about our sermon?” “We’ve done it… we’ve done it!” replied the saint with a smile. “You are the best sermon!” This anecdote helps us remember Massimo, a dear friend and brother of the CLM group in Verona, who suddenly passed away on July 16. He had made practicality and attentive presence a way of life. Welcoming everyone, faith, and love for the mission were, in fact, his characteristics. In short, he was a “wise man” who gradually revealed himself in being together and in doing, and who leaves a huge void in anyone who shared life paths with him. His practical approach had already seen him involved in the Gim work camps in Friuli in 1976 and 1977, which had been hit by a terrible earthquake, and in his years of service as a scout leader, living with them an intense missionary experience in Tanzania. He was involved in the parish, in diocesan family ministry, in programs for newly married couples, devoting himself to the preparation and conduct of seminars and meetings around Italy, as well as in work and sports groups.
And then in the Comboni family and with our group of Comboni Lay Missionaries. The same practicality led him to be enthusiastic, in recent years, about the departure of some young people from our group in which, with his beloved Rita, he could give concrete expression to their passion for the mission, always present in the various activities. “Know that we are leaving with you and will always be present in your communities and for any need,” he told them, speaking on behalf of the group that accompanied them with their thoughts and prayers towards the mission. Thus, Ilaria and Federica were sent to Mozambique, and with the same spirit, he accompanied Giulia in her preparation, who recently left for Kenya.
Massimo’s life unfolded as a true Comboni lay person, not only through the mission trips he made with Rita, immersing himself in a rich and fragile humanity, but also in living the missionary spirit in everyday life, as service in those experiences that were close to his and Rita’s hearts, and where the concrete witness of their faith was firm and profound: “There, in the place where the Lord asks us to be, because we are all called to be missionaries,” he said. And like the “light of dead stars that illuminates the night,” the light of Massimo’s life reaches us through the words of those who knew him, those who enjoyed his ability to listen, his constructive criticism, his witness of Love with a capital L lived with his Rita, the value and respect he gave to everyone, and the feeling that he made us feel “welcome.” Together with St. Daniel Comboni, Massimo will help us to walk and to see, however and wherever, the face of that good Father God whom he sought, prayed to, loved, and chose so much. Massimo, we will always carry you with us.
Source: Nigrizia
A chair will remain empty at our meetings, as a sign to remember him and continue our usual activities with him.
