Martyr in Bangladesh

Chapter 2. The Formation Years and Early Ministry

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Fr. Mario Veronesi converssing with children in Bangladesh

On August 14, 1941, Mario Veronesi entered Novitiate under the direction of Father Giuseppe Gitti, who had worked in the mission in China. The Novice Master thus described him: “He possesses a good, strong and docile temperament; an excellent piety and religious spirit, together with a strong will that shall enable him to overcome any difficulty in order to achieve his goal”. Mario experienced no problem with the age gap between him and his fellow novices. He settled easily and happily into the group. During novitiate Mario became deeply familiar with the Xaverians and their Founder, Guido Maria Conforti, who had died ten years before, in 1931.

In his Testament Letter, Conforti had said to his missionaries: “We should strive to attain the lofty goals proposed by our Congregation by working more zealously to make the Gospel known among non-believers.  In this way we may contribute something toward the realization of Christ’s prophetic vision, the creation of a single Christian family which embraces all peoples.  Furthermore, we ought to be firmly convinced that the vocation we received could not have been greater or more exalted.  It calls us to be close to Christ, the source and purpose of our faith, and to the apostles, whom we regard as preeminent teachers and who unconditionally left all to follow Him”.

On September 8, 1942, while the world was in the throes of war, Mario Veronesi made his First Religious-Missionary Profession. He then went to Parma to study Theology. In July 1945, he felt that he was ready for a final commitment and said so to the Superior General in a letter: “The three years I have spent in religious life have convinced me of the value of the decision I took at my First Profession. I am fully aware of the serious nature of the step I am about to take; I am certain, however, that with the grace of God, who has never abandoned me in past difficulties, will help me to remain faithful to my commitment. I know only too well that I have no titles or merits to boast about, and I do not deserve the graces that have been bestowed upon me. I only ask you to consider favorably my sincere desire and firm intention to dedicate my life entirely to the religious and missionary life.”

On September 12, 1945, Mario Veronesi made his Final Religious Profession; three years later, on March 7, 1948, he was ordained priest by bishop Evasio Colli in the cathedral of Parma.

The only person absent at the celebration was his father, Germano Veronesi, who had died on November 11, 1946, in Rovereto, without seeing his son become a priest.

The Motherhouse of the Xaverian Missionaries in Parma, Italy, where Fr. Mario served

"Let me leave soon"

On the evening of his ordination, Mario Veronesi wrote a personal manifesto for his ministry, “Lord, I offer you my first Mass through the Blessed Virgin Mary. I ask you to make of my life a sacrificial victim for the salvation of non-Christians. I also ask you, Lord, to grant me the gift of a priestly heart and a tender devotion to the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Virgin. May your Holy Spirit bestow abundant graces upon me and make me a merciful minister of your forgiveness. Help me, above all, to understand my people and give them the help they need to draw closer to you. May my life be a continual witness to you in word and deed, wherever I may go. Let me leave soon for the missions”.

At the age of 35, Mario Veronesi felt that he was ready for the great mission adventure that would lead him to die for the Gospel.

I am fully aware of the serious nature of the step I am about to take... I know only too well that I have no titles or merits to boast about, and I do not deserve the graces that have been bestowed upon me. I only ask you to consider favorably my sincere desire and firm intention to dedicate my life entirely to the religious and missionary life.
Fr. Mario Veronesi

After his ordination, he received an unexpected destination from his Superior General: he was to work at the Motherhouse in Parma, in contact with benefactors and friends.  Perhaps he was somewhat disappointed and, though he did not feel up to the task, he accepted the decision as God’s will.

After two years of hard work in Parma, he was sent to Ancona in July 1950 as rector of the junior seminary. That same year, on 4 November, his brother Nino died at the age of 45. It was another tragic blow for the family and for Mario who, nevertheless, once again found the strength to accept God’s mysterious designs.

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