Martyr in Burundi

Chapter 1. History of a Vocation

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Prayer Service remembering the three martyrs of Buyengero, Burundi: Fr. Maule, Ms. Gubert, and Fr. Aldo Marchiol

Father Aldo Marchiol was killed in Burundi with Father Ottorino Maule and Catina Gubert, a lay missionary volunteer. Before killing them, the soldiers ordered them to kneel down; perhaps it was a gesture of contempt, but they could not possibly know that for someone like Aldo Marchiol, this was the best position in which to meet his death: he had lived his entire life in a spirit of service to God and his neighbor; metaphorically speaking, he had lived on his knees. 

Aldo Marchiol was born in Udine (Northern Italy) on March 19, 1930 and ordained a Xaverian priest in 1958. After his ordination, he had to wait 20 years before receiving an assignment to direct missionary work. In 1978, he was sent to Burundi, in the heart of Africa, where he was brutally murdered after 17 years of service to the poor.

In his own words, he recalls the story of his vocation: “When I was a small boy, I was drawn by the idea of becoming one of those friars that went around begging with a horse and cart. Even now, I don’t know why this was so attractive to me. As time passed, the idea lost its appeal and, when I was 17 years old, just as I was thinking about becoming an engineer, I was struck by some books I had read that belonged to my brother Bramante, who was then a seminarian. I began to think that I could perhaps express my love for God by becoming a priest, but then I shrugged that off too. I was restless and uncertain about my future.

In 1947, during a holiday period, I read two religious magazines that my brother brought home. It was then that I began to think seriously about becoming a missionary, but the decision process still proved to be painful: I was afraid of taking such a big step and, besides, I did not want to leave my school. Yet, the desire to be a missionary remained with me. Finally, one evening in September, I told my mother that I had made up my mind. I spoke about it with my parish priest and with Father Ulisse Benetti who was then the superior of the Xaverian house in Udine. He encouraged me and sent me to the house in Poggio San Marcello which was then the Xaverian seminary for second-career vocations”. 

The Prophecy of the Pastor

Aldo Marchiol followed in the footsteps of his brother Bramante who also became a missionary in the order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and worked for 16 years in Laos, and in Latin America for 18 years.

A few days after joining the Xaverian seminary, Aldo received a letter from his father: “We, all the family, our relatives and friends, are enthusiastic about your decision”. The parish priest wrote the following report to the Xaverians: “Behind a rather gruff exterior appearance, Aldo is a most upright person. He grew up in a healthy, simple and profoundly Christian family. He belongs to the ranks of those young men who are well equipped to endure the greatest sacrifices in the missionary field for the spreading of the Reign of Christ”.

The parish priest did not know just how accurate his prediction would be: Aldo Marchiol would indeed sacrifice his own life for the Kingdom of Christ.

When I was a small boy, I was drawn by the idea of becoming one of those friars that went around begging with a horse and cart. Even now, I don’t know why this was so attractive to me.
Fr. Aldo Marchiol

Many years later, during an interview, Father Aldo explained briefly why he had chosen to follow the missionary vocation: “I received a good Christian education from my family and parish; this, and the good example of my seminarian brother Bramante, attracted me to the priesthood. What I knew then of the missions and the Xaverians led me to choose this congregation. I have fond memories of my formation years in community; it was a real family atmosphere that encouraged us to pray, study and deepen our love and knowledge of the missions”.

On October 11, 1950, he began novitiate, and made his first religious profession on October 12, 1951. He spent four more years studying in Desio, Milan until 1954, when he moved to Udine as assistant to the young students. In 1957, the theology student Aldo Marchiol asked to be admitted to major orders.

Father Giacomo Spagnolo, the rector of the theology community, made the following report to the superiors: “In the past, he suffered continual health problems. A period in the mountains helped him to get through the school year without any difficulty, though his health is still not excellent. I believe that an active life would be the best remedy for him. He is a good man, he takes things seriously and is committed to his vocation. I think he should be sent as soon as possible to the missions where he would have many opportunities of living an active life”.

In spite of these recommendations, Aldo Marchiol had to wait for many years before he was destined to the mission. For the rest of his life he had to endure severe migraine headaches that often forced him to take time off from his work. 

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