Martyr in Congo

Chapter 3. Pearls of Wisdom for his own Family

 |   | 

Br. Victor happy to have been released from prison in Congo

Brother Faccin never tired to find out news about his family back in Italy. The monthly correspondence with them has some great jewels of wisdom that shows how he involved himself in the lives of the people, both in Congo and in his native town in Italy.

First, he shares the sentiments of his parents: “I think often at our growing years, all together around the kitchen table. Today, after 12 years, it’s only three of you that gather around the old table. My dear parents, who would have thought it this way? You who have given us life, now you remain with the only memory of our growing-up years! But it is God’s grace that gives you the strength to overcome this hard trial. If we did not have the certainty that every day we find ourselves united in prayer, it might be an even harder test. There is no moment that I don’t think of you who, in the silence of your home, work and pray for those who are outside of it.”

With his common wisdom, brother Faccin responds to a common concern for parents of missionaries: how to understand news, and how mass media communicate. “I’m sure that you’ve been listening to news on the situation here in Congo. Don’t give to them too much importance. You know how rumors spread high and wide when news go from mouth to mouth. The true reality is that there is a bit of confusion in the big centers, caused by the soldiers. That’s all…

Fr. Catarzi, our superior in Uvira, normally sends a telegram with a few important news to our Mother House in Parma. If you go to Parma, believe to what they tell you, for I know well how parents of Missionaries live with anxious hearts, and when they asked news of their sons overseas, they are never satisfied with the answers they get. Be ever calm, and trust in the good Lord.”

And he even ease their pain by this interesting comparison: “In 1883, when the first Missionaries arrived in this place called Baraka, letters would take a year to arrive from Europe, when things went well! And to arrive here, in those days, meant to die. One was lucky if he lived only 5 years! Then, there were no medicines, no quinine, which we take 3 times a week against malaria. Even those missionaries of the late 19^th century loved their mothers and fathers. But our Lord would call them to his service, and they answered yes.”

It is God’s grace that gives you, my parents, the strength to overcome this hard trial. If we did not have the certainty that every day we find ourselves united in prayer, it might be an even harder test. There is no moment that I don’t think of you who, in the silence of your home, work and pray for those who are outside of it.
Br. Victor Faccin

Brother Victor also shows his love to his brothers and sister, almost as a mentor and spiritual director, as they struggle with their Christian lives. He writes to Dante, his brother: “Dear Dante, my brother, I’m glad that you are working in Modena. If you recall, about 5-6 years ago I mentioned to our mom and dad how you were not made for working in farm fields. Permit me only one thing: I had the fortune and misfortune to know and meet young people of your same age, who work in factories and similar places… Remember that you have one soul to save, yours, and it’s the only soul you need to save. If you lose your soul, you’ll lose your goal in life.

I’m not saying that you should abandon your work; rather ask this grace from our Lady from Heaven, so that you may overcome any danger, and refusing anything that resembles the pleasures of the flesh. If your body is pure, even so will your soul. After the protection from Heaven, there are two other people you need to depend: a priest as a spiritual guide, who will know your soul clearly, and counsel from our mother, who is always a person of experience.

If this work is great for your future, but its environment is unhealthy, do not abandon it. Be there as a good example for all. Don’t feel as defeated in this situation, but a winner! Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Be courageous, and press on trusting in the graces from above.”

To his brother Bortolo, who is helping his parents in the farm, Brother Victor shares a deep and heartfelt sense of gratitude: “And my dear brother, Bortolo, I must confess that I cannot contain my happiness of gratitude towards you. A thousand thanks to you for your self-giving in the daily work and for your love towards all of us. I wish I could be by your side, but the Lord has called me somewhere else, 5,000 miles away from you. I will remember you in my prayer, so that the Lord may be close to you with his blessings.” And then he encourages him to think about his future: “My dear Bortolo, you are a quiet and working man, how are you?  I just have a question: your future. Have you thought about your future? Don’t wait too much. Take courage, and step forward, so that you may find happiness in your life.  Our good Lord will help you with the rest, for God will be near you when the least you expect it. Trust… trust… trust!”

Brother Victor even concerned himself with things of his native town, as it is described in this letter to an unnamed woman: “My mother will share some news about our situation. I just wish that women in our own native place would follow the example of our holy women who, after a long working day, found time to greet our Lord Jesus in Church. How many people waste their time spreading rumors, and talking behind one’s back, and dancing, and going after some futile things, forgetting to pray instead.”

Truly, brother Victor’s writings to his “overseas congregation” were inspired by his daily meditations on the word of God. “As children of God and heirs of Heaven, - he once wrote - we ought to worry about one thing only: to always live in God’s path. I know how difficult it must be for you to live in his grace, but Jesus assured his apostle St. Paul with these words: My grace is enough for you. The Grace of our Lord is enough; it all depends on our good will.”

» more