P. Rocco Serra
Abatemarco (Salerno), 5 luglio 1922
Parma, 21 novembre 1989
Lavorò negli USA, in Sierra Leone (23 anni) e in Italia (5 anni). Sepolto ad Abatemarco
Il p. Rocco Serra, nato ad Abatemarco (Salerno) il 5 luglio 1922, entrò nella nostra scuola apostolica di Massa Lucana nel 1933. Compì gli studi nell'Istituto Saveriano e fu ordinato sacerdote nel 1947. Nello stesso anno fu inviato negli USA dove completò gli studi teologici e alla Fulham University ottenne il titolo di studio richiesto dalle leggi d'immigrazione.
Nella casa di Holliston diede prova della sua laboriosità e d'una capacità organizzativa non comune. Contribuì alla fondazione, nel 1952, del noviziato a Petersham dove fece conoscere largamente i saveriani.
Nel 1957 fu destinato alla missione di Sierra Leone. Là gli fu affidata subito la direzione della scuola media di Makeni. Dal 1959 al 1963 fu ispettore governativo delle scuole cattoliche del Nord della Sierra Leone, e poi fu chiamato al Catholic Relief Service, che organizzò e diresse con soddisfazione di tutti. Nel 1972 gli fu affidato anche il Leprosy Control Program per la Sierra Leone e per tutto il West Africa. Come segno di riconoscenza il governo della Sierra Leone gli diede il titolo di Knigth of Rokel.
Dopo 23 anni d'Africa, tornò in USA, e nel 1984 venne a Roma dove lavorò specialmente nell'Oltremare Film producendo, con p. Agostino Carlesso, documentari missionari e le prime videocassette missionarie.
Nel 1987 fu chiamato a Parma come amministratore dello CSAM, e qui manifestò d'improvviso il male che lo avrebbe portato alla tomba: una grave forma di tumore che già aveva invaso il corpo.
L'accettazione serena del male improvviso che troncava tutti i suoi progetti, mostrò la sua fede.
Nelle braccia del Signore si spense serenamente il 21 novembre 1989.
Fr. Rocco Serra
Abatemarco (Salerno), 5 luglio 1922
Parma, 21 novembre 1989
Fr. Rocco Serra died at Parmaís Hospital on Nov. 21 1989, of stomach cancer. He was 67 years old, born at Abatemarco (Salerno) on July 5 1922.
He started his studies in the Xaverian minor seminary at Massa Lucana in 1933, and professed religious vows after his Novitiate at S. Pietro in Vincoli on Oct. 3 1939. He started theology and was ordained to the priesthood on April 20 1946. Fr. Gazza, as Superior General, even scheduled a private audience with Pope Pius XII for the permission of ordaining Fr. Rocco Serra (and Fr. Cavallo) before the beginning of his fourth year of Theology. Ordained by Msgr. Zaffrani, bishop of Guastalla, Fr. Rocco Serra celebrated his Thanksgiving Mass at the chapel of the Mother House, assisted by Fr. General, using the priestly chasuble of Msgr. Conforti.
Soon after, he was sent to the USA to complete his theology studies, and seek a license from Fordham University in New York. In the house of Holliston he proved to be a laborious worker with great organizational skills. He contributed to the foundation of the Novitiate in Petersham in 1952, and helped spread the mission cause. Fr. Cavallo remembers Fr. Serraís activities at the Shrine: "The unknown town of Holliston received suddenly a place of notoriety, so much that the people there said that Fr. Serra has put Holliston on the map. Fr. Serra wrote from Petersham: My wish is to be a simple worker in the vineyard until next year when ñ and I hope you did not forget I would leave for the missions." (Letter to the Superior General, Oct. 23 1956)
In 1957, he was assigned to Sierra Leone, where he worked as director of the Middle School of Makeni, and then, from 1959 to 1963, was government inspector of the Catholic education of all the schools in Northern Sierra Leone. He organized the ìCatholic Relief Serviceî for Sierra Leone, and in 1972, worked with the ìLeprosy Programî for all of West Africa. As a sign of appreciation for all his work, the Government of Sierra Leone gave him the title Knight of Rokel.
Fr. Nicoliello wrote: Notwithstanding his many commitments and trips, I noticed his constancy and faithfulness to his religious and priestly duties. He was ever serious in the moments of prayers, prepared in the preaching. Among the many characteristics, his devotion to Mary stood out since his Novitiate year when he was healed from a serious disease through her intercession, as he used to say.
After 23 years of Africa, Fr. Rocco returned to the USA, with these thoughts shared to the Superior General: "I am convinced once again that Divine Providence has been timing everything in my life in such marvelous ways and I am more than ever prepared to be a faithful instrument in Godís plans for me." (May 14 1984)
He then proceeded to Rome where he worked together with Fr. Agostino Carlesso at Oltremare Film thus editing and producing the first videocassettes on mission topics.
In 1987 he was asked to be administrator at the CSAM, but unfortunately a tumor invaded his body, which brought him to his death. Yet, his serene acceptance of this sudden illness showed his deep faith. The Lord welcomed him home through a serene death on Nov. 21 1989.
