Martyr in Burundi

Chapter 4. In Tanzania (1984 - 1989)

 |   | 

Ms. Catina Gubert: "I give my life to the African people"

The collaboration between the Volunteers and the Xaverians in Buyengero ended with the expulsions of missionaries ordered by the Burundi government. Fr. Maule was expelled in April 1979, and Fr. Fattor was told to leave Burundi by June 10 of the same year, together with some other seventy missionaries present in this country. In 1981, another list of missionaries was distributed; in 1983 all the Xaverian sisters were expelled, and in the following years, others had to leave, among them Fr. Marchiol.

After some restful vacations in Italy, Catina Gubert was invited to go to Tanzania, for “a brief period” in 1984. She would oversee the accountability of the house for Volunteers in Kongwa. She was there for five years! She was secretary of mission projects, was in contact with different embassies, welcomed the various volunteer groups in Tanzania; and with her wisdom and her missionary experience, Catina would ease the entrance process for many of them. No government office or authority would challenge her dedication and tenacious will, for she knew the needs of the people she was trying to help.

She used to say, “I give my life to them, but the African people understand me even when I might pretend much from them, or be harsh with them.  Through compassion and sometimes straight talk, they learn the values of the Gospel.” Together with the Franciscan Fr. Cesare Orler, she did a lot for the people of Tanzania.

I give my life to them, but the African people understand me even when I might pretend much from them, or be harsh with them. Through compassion and sometimes straight talk, they learn the values of the Gospel.
Ms. Catina Gubert

A friend in Tanzania says: “Her charity was her greatest homily. Many times she spent entire nights at the bedside of a volunteer in coma, or a child in need of a loving mother. Even among missionaries, it’s very difficult to find a dedicated person like her.

She was the welcoming soul of that community, by preparing the morning coffee for the guests, providing everything for the missionaries and the bishops who made use of the center. She often encouraged with her warm words someone who would be in a down period.

Her extraordinary smile was contagious, and helped ease the discomforts of mission work. What shining eyes and what serene face when she would pray the Rosary!”

» more