Fr. Vittorio Faccin
Villaverla (Vicenza), 4 Gennaio l934
Baraka (R.D. Congo), 28 Novembre 1964
Giovane Missionario in Congo, ucciso durante la rivolta dei Simba. Di anni 30. Sepolto a Baraka (Zaire).
Nacque a Villaverla (VI) il 4.I.l934 da Francesco e Sedda Marietta. A 16 anni, nell’ottobre 1950 era entrato nella Casa Saveriana di Cremona, con il proposito di diventare Sacerdote Missionario.
Avendo abbandonato gli studi elementari già da vari anni, trovò difficile rimettersi a studiare: fu consigliato di diventare missionario ugualmente, come collaboratore laico dei missionari preti. Emise la Professione religioso-missionaria l’8.XII.l952.
Dopo alcuni anni di attività in Italia, nelle opere materiali di varie Case Saveriane, il 3.XII.l959 partiva Missionario per l’allora Congo Belga (oggi R.D. Congo), membro di un secondo gruppo di Saveriani che si univa ai primi giunti nella nuova Missione da un anno appena.
Molte notizie sui suoi 5 anni di lavoro missionario lo abbiamo dalle 60 sue lettere pubblicate nel volume Il rischio di amare a cura del P. A. Luca: esse raccontano con semplicità le vicende della vita di Fr. Vittorio, rivelano i suoi sentimenti, gli entusiasmi e le paure.
Fr. Vittorio veniva da una famiglia di contadini che da Villaverla era emigrata nella campagna modenese. Egli non dimenticò mai i suoi campi e spiritualmente si tenne sempre in contatto con i suoi famigliari. A volte, nelle sue lettere, egli sa volgere in chiave umoristica situazioni tragiche; gode con i suoi famigliari dei progressi dell’azienda, della inserzione di macchine nel lavoro della famiglia. Tuttavia non rimpiange di essere partito; anzi le sue espressioni gioiose fanno ricordare quanto aveva scritto al P. Generale alla vigilia dei Voti Perpetui:
“… Nella preghiera, Gesù mi ha fatto comprendere come sia meglio che io venga sacrificato a Lui piuttosto che Lui si immoli nelle mie mani...".
Subito dopo l’indipendenza politica, l’attuale Zaire esperimentò aspre lotte civili. Fr. Vittorio si trovò ad essere missionario nella regione del Kivu proprio in quelli anni.
Venne ucciso nella Missione di Baraka, assassinato dalla pistola di un capo dei ribelli, il 28.XI.l964 assieme ai Confratelli PP. Didonè e l’Abbé indigeno Joubert. Nel volume citato, P. Cima racconta alcuni particolari dell’uccisione:
"...Il colonnello Abedi Masanga, un Babembe del clan dei Balala, il 25 novembre aveva subito una sconfitta terribile tesagli dalle truppe regolari coadiuvate dai mercenari: ben 700 suoi uomini Simba erano stati falciati dalle mitragliatrici!... Il giorno dopo egli dovette giustificare davanti ai parenti dei morti quella sonora sconfitta: tra l’altro essi erano stati uccisi dai bianchi e certamente - era l’accusa comune in quei giorni - guidati dalla "fonì" (la radio) che i Missionari dovevano avere nascosta in qualche angolo della Missione... Una giustificazione per il clamoroso insuccesso patito fece nascere in lui l’idea di uccidere i Padri...! Il mattino del 28 novembre, l’Abedi arrivò con la sua jeep a Baraka, la Missione in cui Fr. Vittorio stava completando la costruzione della Casa. All’arrivo della jeep, egli uscì di casa: l’Abedi cominciò a tirar fuori la storia della "fonì"... della politica contraria alla Rivoluzione Popolare... Il Fratello lo lasciava dire, convinto che, come già altre volte era avvenuto, l’Abedi si sarebbe alla fine calmato... Ma questa volta l’Abedi non si calmò affatto:.. uno, due, tre colpi raggiungono al petto Fr. Vittorio; egli cade a terra privo di vita...!"
Il P. Carrara fu ucciso subito dopo, mentre più tardi lo stesso colonnello Nasanga ucciderà a Fizi il P. Giovanni Didoné e l’Abbé Joubert.
Br. Vittorio Faccin
Villaverla (Vicenza), 4 Gennaio l934
Baraka (R.D. Congo), 28 Novembre 1964
A rebel officer shot Br. Vittorio Faccin at close range just outside the church in Baraka (Congo) on Nov. 28 1964. On the same day, Frs. Louis Carrara, John Didonè and Abbè Anastasio Joubert were killed. Brother Vittorio Faccin was 30 years old, born at Villaverla (Vicenza, Northern Italy), on January 7, 1934.
He spent his childhood years in the countryside of the Modena region, and joined the Xaverians in Cremona when he was 16 years old, and later moved to Desio (Milan), where he made his First Profession on Dec. 8 1952. Brother Vittorio would have liked to become a priest, but he had been advised to pursue the missionary brother vocation on account of the fact that he had abandoned studies because of working in the farm.
The account of Brother Vittorio’s life and mission has been reconstructed from his many letters to relatives and friends, which are almost a diary of his missionary experience (the book is “Il rischio di amare”, by Fr. A. Luca). After a few years of service in Italy, he departs for Congo on Dec. 3, 1959, member of the second group of Xaverians in Central Africa. He mainly worked in Baraka, and writes: “I arrived in Baraka a few weeks ago. The nearest confreres are in a mission 50 miles from here, the furthest are 200 miles away. I received a great welcome from the school children who had long awaited my arrival. Every evening we chat and laugh together. I still do not speak the local language but we understand each other by speaking French.”
“The Africans are searching for love – he continues in another letter – Our work consists in encouraging them to love and forgive as Jesus commands us to do.” Br. Vittorio worked mainly in catechism classes, and helping with the needs of the nascent Christian communities. “We began the preparation of about 80 adults for baptism. The majority of them are aged between 20 and 35 years old; there is also a little group of elderly people. I ask you to pray that they will be good Christians, especially in these difficult times. Congo is about to obtain independence and it has reached a crossroads, not sure of which path to take.”
Throughout his letters to his family, Brother Vittorio showed a great imagination in describing the situation in Congo at the beginning of 1960s. Even in the midst of difficult circumstances, his writings show his love for his mission, and a painting of his surroundings, rooted on a deep faith in God. “Everyone here watches me write these notes, and tells me “Dear Brother Vittorio, you walk fast with your pen.” Brother Vittorio loved to write! At the end of one of his letters, even Fr. John Didone’ showed his appreciation of Brother Faccin’s service in Baraka: “Your Vittorio is doing great. He’s my right hand and my consolation.”
He loved his Christian communities, and he rejoiced with them for their accomplishments: “Please pray for us, that the Lord may grant us peace, so that we may be able to continue our missionary service. There are many Christians, and they show their love in many occasions; how can we abandon them?”
And even through imprisonment and daily hardships, Brother Vittorio finds time for poking fun! “I can actually brag that I visited all the prisons between Fizi and Bukavu, a stretch of 140 miles. To tell you the truth, I was afraid; but when that was forgotten, we also had the chance to laugh, behind our neighbor’s shoulders: the soldiers!"
Brother Faccin never tire to find out news about his family back in Italy. The monthly correspondence with them has some great jewels of wisdom that shows how he involved himself in the lives of the people, both in Congo and in his native town in Italy.
He writes from Baraka: “During this Lenten period, we have organized a Marian pilgrimage and we have placed a small statue of Our Lady in every village school. We will celebrate the baptisms and first communion of the adults in the middle of May and, upon conclusion of the pilgrimage, we will bless a large statue of the Virgin Mary that I got from Uvira. We will place it on the spot where we intend to build the new house.”
He made his Final Profession on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1962, in Uvira, Congo. “This profession is the final consecration of my entire life to the Lord. I am aware of the serious nature of the step I am about to take. Only the Lord who has called me to his service can grant me the gift of final perseverance.”
On Christmas Day 1963, he writes: “Today is Christmas. It is truly a wonderful celebration. Christians have come from all over, some from even 70 miles away, to celebrate Christ’s birth with the Christians of Baraka. We have worked hard over the last few days, but the sight of so many Christians has taken our tiredness away.”
In his final letter, Nov. 22 1964, he writes: “We are longing for freedom, but when will it come? (…) I am with Father Louis. One at a time, all my companions have left for Italy. Our Heavenly Mother has looked after us so far and we continue to trust in her protection... Continue to pray for our poor people.”
The last moments of life of the Martyrs of Congo were reconstructed on the basis of the testimony of some local inhabitants, some two years later, upon discovery of their bodies. On November 28, at about 9 am, a jeep pulled up in front of the fathers’ house. Abedì Masanga, a guerrilla leader, drove it. Brother Faccin was in his room when he heard the coarse voices of the Simba (lions) guerrillas outside. He went outside, certain that he would be able to convince them to leave as on previous occasions. Masanga was standing next to the jeep apart from the others, and 7 or 8 Simba surrounded Faccin. He was accused by the guerrilla chief of keeping radio contact with the regular army to inform them of the guerrillas movements.
Brother Faccin let him talk, thinking that he would eventually make the customary request for money. This time, however, Masanga would not be so easily contented. In a rage, he ordered Vittorio to get into the jeep. When they reached the church, Brother Faccin was told that they would be heading for Fizi, and he understood that something dreadful was about to happen. “I cannot leave Father Carrara alone in Baraka”, he replied, as he opened the door to get out. They were his last words: Masanga shot him three times in the chest and he fell dying on the car seat.
Father Carrara, who had been hearing the confessions of some elderly women, had seen and heard everything. He went towards Masanga, his purple penitential stole still around his neck. “I will take you to Fizi to kill you and the other missionaries together”, shouted an enraged Masanga. “If you want to kill me, I prefer to die here next to my brother”, the missionary serenely replied, as he knelt down next to the body of Brother Faccin. He was shot at point blank range and fell dead next to Br. Faccin. The religious were killed so that Masanga could retain control over his men after the failed ambush attempt three days previously on a regular army contingent. In this incident Masanga lost about 700 Simba warriors out of a thousand. He had to justify this terrible failure and laid the blame at the door of the Xaverians who, according to his version, had informed on them.
Frère Vittorio Faccin
Né à Villaverla (Vicence – Italie) le 04.01.1934
Décédé à Baraka (R.D. Congo) le 28.11.1964
30 ans. Missionnaire en RDC à Baraka
Premier Martyr Xavérien au Congo.
Mes chers parents, vous n’imaginez pas la joie qui m’habite en ce lieu où je puis porter une aide à ceux qui ne savent pas de quel don le Seigneur nous a comblé en nous faisant devenir chrétiens. A vous qui m’avez toujours assisté pendant mes années de formation et surtout pour m’avoir permis de suivre ma vocation, j’adresse de tout cœur un sincère remerciement. C’est la première lettre que le frère Vittorio envoie en Italie depuis le Congo. Il avait 25 ans.
Vittorio naît à Villaverla (Vicence, Italie) le 04 janvier 1934. A 16 ans, en octobre 1950, il entre dans la communauté des missionnaires xavériens de Crémone (Italie). Il suit l’année de noviciat à Piacenza et il fait ses premiers vœux le 08 décembre 1952, en tant que frère xavérien. Il poursuit, à la communauté de Desio (Milan), sa formation à la mission.
Le 03 décembre 1959 il part en mission au Congo Belge. Les Xavériens étaient arrivés à Uvira l’année précédente.
Il vit de façon intense, pendant cinq ans, son expérience de vie missionnaire à Baraka, paroisse érigée par les Missionnaires d’Afrique en 1948, après avoir effectué trois tentatives d’implantation dans la région de l’Ubembe en 1880, 1883 et 1891. En communauté, le frère Faccin est économe. En pastorale, il est aumônier du mouvement Xavéri. Il se donne à la formation chrétienne des enfants et des jeunes de l’Ubembe. Son dévouement à la mission de Baraka ne l’empêche pas de donner aussi un coup de main à ses confrères d’autres communautés pour des constructions ou des travaux de mécanique.
Depuis quelques semaines je suis arrivé à Baraka. J’ai connu quelques enfants de nos écoles. Ils m’ont accueilli avec une grande joie. L’après-midi, nous conversons ensemble et nous rions aux éclats : je ne maîtrise pas encore le kiswahili, mais nous parvenons à nous entendre en français. (…) Notre travail consiste à faire connaître la logique de l’amour de Jésus : savoir pardonner et aimer même ses ennemis. Dimanche dernier, les enfants manquaient d’eau pour la cuisine. Deux d’entre eux son partis en chercher. Au retour, ils m’ont posé la question : ‘Léonard n’a pas voulu venir nous aider puiser de l’eau. Mangera-t-il avec nous ce soir ?’ Face à ma réponse affirmative, ils m’ont objecté : ‘Il n’a pas travaillé. Il n’a pas le droit à manger’. L’Afrique doit être aimée, mais de l’amour du Christ ; elle doit être aimée non pas à cause de ses richesses matérielles mais en raison du salut que Dieu lui a réservé. En vivant en un pays de non chrétiens, je comprends comment Dieu nous a bénis en nous faisant naître dans un pays chrétien, où même l’air que nous respirons a le parfum du christianisme. Et moi, qui grandissais là-bas, je ne m’en suis aperçu qu’en venant ici au Congo.
Du 02 au 06 février 1961, le frère Faccin, avec son confrère le p. A. Costalonga et deux Missionnaires d’Afrique, membres de la communauté de Baraka, sont emprisonnés. Le matin du 02 février, un hélicoptère de l’ONU descend à Baraka et, un agent, demande aux confrères s’ils veulent être embarqués pour fuir du Congo. Evidemment, la réponse était négative. Dans l’après-midi, les militaires arrêtent les quatre membres de la communauté de Baraka et les emprisonnent pour collaboration avec les semeurs de troubles du pays, qui venait de connaître l’Indépendance (le 30 juin 1960). Malgré des conditions sanitaires précaires, le frère témoigne de sa foi Au cachot il y avait beaucoup de saleté et d’insectes, de sorte que je me réveillais le matin avec des démangeaisons et des enflures. (…) Dans mon cœur, je me réjouissais car je ressentais combien je faisais partie des témoins de la foi, fût-ce à la dernière place.
La mission de Baraka sera rouverte quelques semaines plus tard. L’élan missionnaire ne s’arrête pas. Les épreuves mûrissent l’évangélisation. L’évêque d’Uvira, Mgr Catarzi, décide, en août 1961, d’ouvrir une nouvelle mission à Fizi, à 40 km de Baraka. Le travail pastoral sera ainsi facilité par notre proximité aux gens. (…) Nous aurons beaucoup à faire pour nos chrétiens, surtout ceux de l’intérieur qui restent sans assistance religieuse, réconfortés seulement par la prière du chapelet.
Le frère Faccin a fait sa profession perpétuelle au Congo, le 08.12.1962. Dans sa lettre de demande d’admission aux vœux, il écrit : Jadis, je portais le désir de devenir prêtre missionnaire. Au cours de ces années de préparation à la vie missionnaire, le Seigneur m’a fait comprendre qu’il est préférable que je me sacrifie pour lui, plutôt qu’il ne soit immolé dans mes mains. A ses parents, il s’adressait en ces termes : Cette profession religieuse est une consécration au Seigneur pour tous les jours qui me restent encore ici sur terre. Mes bien-aimés, pensez à cette étape, c’est sérieux. Seul Celui qui m’a appelé à le suivre peut m’accorder la grâce de le faire jusqu’au bout. Je me donne ‘totalement et irrévocablement à Dieu pour la mission’, dirait notre Fondateur, Mgr Guy-Marie Conforti.
En juin 1964, les révolutionnaires Mulelistes arrivent à Baraka. Une chose est claire : entre eux ils s’entretuent comme des chèvres. La tension au village monte. (…) Que parents et amis, en Italie, nous portent dans leurs prières, nous qui vivons le cœur suspendu en cette période de crise. Priez pour nos chrétiens qui sont éprouvés durement dans leur foi à cause de certaines pratiques païennes. C’était sa dernière lettre. Six jours après, le 28 novembre, vers 9h, un véhicule des Simba arrive à la mission de Baraka. Le frère était au bureau, pendant que le père Luigi Carrara était en train de confesser à l’Eglise. Le commandant, Abedi Masanga, lance alors des accusations généralisées au sujet de l’utilisation de la radio par les « blancs » de la mission, en disant qu’ils transmettaient aux troupes régulières des informations sur les déplacements des mulelistes. Le frère Faccin le laisse se défouler. Il avait l’habitude d’écouter de telles diatribes qui se terminaient en général par la demande de quelques dollars. Abedi insiste. Il demande au frère Faccin de monter dans le véhicule. Il démarre en disant de l’accompagner à Fizi. Le frère Faccin, en s’apercevant que le pire arrivait, s’exclame : Je ne peux pas abandonner mon confrère qui resterait seul ici à Baraka ! C’étaient les derniers mots. Il ouvrit la portière pour descendre du véhicule. Il avait déjà mis pied à terre quand Abedi a pointé le révolver sur la poitrine du frère et a laissé partir trois coups. Le père Carrara assiste à la scène. Il sort de l’Eglise. Abedi le menace : Je t’amène à Fizi pour te tuer avec les autres Pères. Le père Carrara répond en s’agenouillant devant le corps sans vie de Faccin : Si tu veux me tuer, je préfère mourir ici à côté de mon frère. Une autre série de coups et un deuxième meurtre est accompli.
(cf. A. COMUZZI, Giovanni Didonè, in R. AGASSO, A. COMUZZI, A. LUCA, Con loro, sempre. Missionari Saveriani martiri della carità pastorale, éd. CSAM, Brescia 2000)
