Martyr in Burundi

Chapter 1. The three Martyrs of Buyengero

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Ms. Catina Gubert - The three martyrs of Buyengero, Burundi

The Xaverian Missionaries recognize how blessed they were to know Catina Gubert.  She shared her life-long dreams through her service in Rumeza, and it was God’s will that she shared martyrdom with Fr. Ottorino Maule and Fr. Aldo Marchiol on that September evening of 1995. She is indeed part of the Xaverian family.

Speaking of the events of Buyengero on September 30, 1995, we can only think of the word “martyrdom”, for a martyr is one who witnesses to the faith and charity.  We think of the many who gave their lives for the sake of the Gospel, and St. Maximilian Kolbe, and Bishop Oscar Romero are just two clear examples.  In the Xaverian world, we can then talk about “the three martyrs of Buyengero”, of Fr. Ottorino, Fr. Aldo and Catina.

Catina Gubert was born at Fiera di Primiero, Trento (Northern Italy) on December 8, 1921, Feast of the Immaculate Conception. 

Her dear friend, Maria Scalet Colaone, remembers those times.  “I met Catina at St. Martino di Castrozza, for we used to live close by up on mountain houses during the summer.  Our families brought sheep and cattle up there, and so we spent a lot of time playing in the woods, or in the vast hilly fields.  She used to be the “mother figure” of our group, and often she would baby-sit my younger sisters. 

During the winter seasons, instead, we would separate and return to our native villages, but I’ve kept in touch with her.  Her dad run a grocery store.  We then ended up being classmates in 5^th grade, in 1930.  She was diligent, paid attention, and intelligent.  During the War, she even run the store herself, since her brothers were in service.  Just imagine how cold it would get in that store during the winter!”

Up There, with the Angels

She belonged to many parish organizations, and very active in the local association of blood-donors, which she helped found. She would organize trips to local Marian shrines, and invite boys and girls to some hiking around the Alpine mountains. She would take the opportunity of these trips for some teaching from the Gospel.

We don’t know how we are going to end up here. For now, Buyengero seems calm, but it’s an exception. Just look at poor Fr. Modesto, who experiences shootings and grenades daily. People flee for their lives: they sleep in the forest or open fields, and when they return, they find their homes burned to the ground.
Ms. Catina Gubert

“Her patience – continues Maria Scalet – overcame whatever difficulties they encountered during these hiking experiences. She loved nature, and she was happy to have climbed ‘Cimon della Pala’ (10,000 feet) with my brother Quinto, who is a mountain guide. She often repeated that she ‘felt very close to the angels’ when she was at the top.”

These were Catina’s joys, rooted on the common values learned from work, home and church.  She often volunteered to help someone in need, especially the poor and the elderly

Her niece Anna, shared these thoughts: “How can I begin? How should I explain to people the generous and kind woman you had been for me? I was only 15-16 years old when I got to know you, and my thoughts were about boyfriends, while you reminded me of the most important joys of a life lived with God!”

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