Martyr in Brazil

Chapter 2. A generous young man

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Fr. Salvatore together with some of his Priesthood Ordination classmates

As the years passed, the time for making a decision drew near. Salvatore carefully reflected on his vocation: “The mission to non-Christians is the principal reason behind my choice: I have always thrown myself into any initiatives and problems connected with it. What started as a simple and rather naïve enthusiasm has become a deeply rooted passionate involvement. I am convinced that my true vocation lies in the religious missionary life”.

In September 1978, Salvatore entered novitiate in Ancona where he spent a year of intense study, reflection and further vocational discernment. He made a good impression on those in charge of his formation and he was accepted for religious profession with a glowing assessment. The Novice Master wrote: “Salvatore is a generous young man, active and resourceful, with mechanical skills. He is a good organizer and uses his time in a responsible manner. He is a valuable member of the community and his keen sensitivity to the needs of the group leads him to perform hidden tasks for the benefit of the community”.

He made his first religious profession, in Ancona, on September 1, 1979; he was then sent back to his native Sardinia, to the Xaverian house in Macomer, where he was assigned as assistant to the young students.

I have been preparing for missionary life for many years now; today, this choice becomes more concrete, taking the shape of the specific commitment of the diaconate. The deacon makes himself available for service to others, especially the most needy. I am happy I have made this decision. I entrust myself to the Lord because, alone, I would not be capable of honoring the demands of this ministry.
Fr. Salvatore Deiana

In September 1981, he was sent to study Theology in Parma, the final stage of preparation for the missionary priesthood. During that period he worked in the local All Saints’ Parish where he stood out for his enthusiasm, spirit of initiative and service to many areas of parish ministry: liturgy, recitals, catechetical meetings, camping with the younger parishioners. The young people of the parish were very fond of him: they never forgot him even after he had gone to Brazil; they continued writing to him and sent concrete signs of their solidarity.

The rector of the theology community presented him for admission to the diaconate in the following terms: “He shows a genuine sense of belonging and dedication to the community. He is well liked and accepted by his companions. He is guided by a true spirit of faith and is very committed to living the religious vows; he is endowed with a healthy realism, sensitivity, and serenity; he knows how to interpret life situations and is sensitive to others’ suffering. He is a profoundly honest young man”.

Salvatore was ordained deacon on February 21, 1982, with nine companions, by the Xaverian Bishop Danilo Catarzi, in the chapel of the Mother House, Parma. His parents, friends and relatives traveled from Sardinia to take part in the celebration.

The written invitation to the ceremony bore the following message written by Salvatore: “I have been preparing for missionary life for many years now; today, this choice becomes more concrete, taking the shape of the specific commitment of the diaconate. The deacon makes himself available for service to others, especially the most needy. I am happy I have made this decision. I entrust myself to the Lord because, alone, I would not be capable of honoring the demands of this ministry”.

Fr. Salvatore at his first Mass in Ardauli, with his parents, Fr. Joseph Crobu and Fr. Mario Mula

Ordination at the Sports Arena

He practiced the ministry of deacon in Parma and, during the summer holidays, in Sardinia; he baptized two nieces, the daughters of his sister Antonietta. He was now 26 years old and just a step away from the priesthood. He was ordained priest on September 26, 1982, in the sports arena of Parma. Salvatore and his nine Xaverian classmates were ordained priests by the bishop of Parma, Benito Cocchi; more than a hundred priests concelebrated, among them many diocesan priests and Xaverians. Three thousand people took part together with the relatives and friends of the new priests.

Shortly before his ordination, Salvatore wrote: “On the day of my ordination, I will ask the Lord to grant me the grace of fidelity and help me always to preserve the enthusiasm of my initial response to his call”.

He returned to Sardinia for his first solemn Mass. The whole village of Ardauli turned out on October 3,  1982 to honor its new priest. Dressed in local costume, the people sang hymns in their dialect and served dishes in the best local tradition: it was a truly unforgettable occasion.

After the celebrations in his home village, Father Salvatore Deiana returned to Parma for his last year of Theology. He was looking forward to leaving for the missions, where he would announce the Gospel of salvation, according to the mandate given by Jesus: “Go, preach and baptize.” He had been preparing for this moment since he was a child, and he was now just a step away from fulfilling his dream. The day of his departure finally arrived on October 16, 1983, the fifth anniversary of the election of John Paul II, another man who had left his homeland to serve the church in a far-off land.

At the age of 26, he was finally seeing his childhood dream come true. Nevertheless, he also felt the pain of nostalgia, detachment and separation from the people and the places he loved so much, not knowing then that he would never see them again. 

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