Martyr in Burundi

Chapter 7. The last days

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The Tomb of the Martyrs of Buyengero

In the middle of January 1995, Father Modesto Todeschi, who was also the Regional Superior of the Xaverians in Burundi, moved to Bujumbura, the capital city. He was replaced by a 65 year old Xaverian priest, Aldo Marchiol, who had already worked for 17 years in Burundi. He shared the last nine months of Father Maule’s life with him and with Catina Gubert, a 73 year old volunteer missionary. The three of them were destined to die together. Catina had also told her family and friends that she wished to be buried in Burundi if she died while on mission service there.

In the meantime, Father Maule made a brief visit to Italy where he took part in the General Chapter as an elected delegate from Burundi. He saw his mother for the last time and returned to Burundi in July. On August 21, he was present at a meeting during which the confreres discussed whether they should stay in the country.

Father Maule replied that there was nothing to discuss; if anything, they should be talking about how they should stay, rather than if they should stay. He confided to a friend: “It is true that we should really switch off, leave the country for a while, and re-charge our batteries. The people cannot afford such a luxury, however, so why should we allow ourselves to do so?”

Church in the Philippines offered by relatives and friends of Fr. Maule, and plaque

Choosing to do Good

Ottorino Maule had made up his mind to stay, and he knew that his life was in danger. His friend Father Marangone warned him that there was no forgiveness for the good things he had done; evil could be forgotten, but one who spoke the truth as he did would never be forgiven. It was then that Father Maule asked him to say a Mass for the repose of his soul as soon as he heard about his death. He was just two months away from martyrdom.

During that last summer, he wrote to his family often, almost every day, in what was a kind of spiritual testament in short episodes: “My health is ok, apart form the usual problems, but I don’t pay any attention to them ” (August 15)...

“The situation is changeable and uncertain. Here, everything is well and even the soldiers who were here until a few days ago behaved themselves. A new contingent is due to arrive and I hope they do not give us any trouble. I met the local senior army official in Bururi and I asked him to tell the soldiers to respect the civilian population. Let’s hope they do” (August 20)...

“Elsewhere, there are persistent reports of destruction and death” (August 27).

On September 3, he celebrated the 25^th anniversary of his first departure for Burundi: “How time flies! Catina says that I never finish anything, that I should do one thing at a time, but it is impossible. How can we do anything else but follow the rhythm of our poor people, and do as much as possible while we can”; “In the last couple of weeks, I have been so busy in all kinds of work, pastoral and material. I am exhausted” (September 15).

When the situation of the country seemed to take a turn for the worse, he encouraged people to keep on hoping. His last letter to the family is dated September 22. His apprehension was palpable: “Life proceeds with the usual many activities and the unexpected often happens, and usually it is something bad. We place our hope in the Lord. I send you all my love and best wishes”. This was his farewell to his loved ones; the letter arrived in Gambellara on September 30, 1995, the day on which he was killed.

It is true that we should really switch off, leave the country for a while, and re-charge our batteries. The people cannot afford such a luxury, however, so why should we allow ourselves to do so?
Fr. Ottorino Maule

On that day, three soldiers arrived at the house and grabbed him, Father Marchiol and Catina; they were made to kneel down and were then shot at point blank range. There was much sorrow and desperation at the funeral, in which bishops, many priests and the civil authorities took part.

Prophets often die a martyr’s death, and this was the fate reserved to Father Ottorino Maule, who gave his life at the age of 53 because of his love for Burundi. Now, Father Ottorino rests in African soil, with Father Aldo and Catina, in front of their church in Buyengero. One day, he had promised a young boy that he would remain with the people: he kept his word.

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