P. Evardo Zannoni
Casale di Castelnovomonti (Reggio Emilia), 6 febbraio 1930
Wayne - NJ, 21 agosto 1988
Lavorò negli Stati Uniti. Di anni 58. Sepolto nel paese nativo
Nato nel 1930, fu all'età di sedici anni che il p. Zannoni decise di farsi missionario. Riprese dunque gli studi interrotti sui banchi delle scuole elementari. Fu nelle nostre case di Poggio San Marcello, Piacenza, Zelarino. Entrò in noviziato nel 1950 e poi fece il liceo a Desio. Nel 1954 fu inviato negli USA per gli studi di teologia, e là restò per il resto della sua vita.
Fu ordinato sacerdote a Milwakee nel 1959, e subito fu impegnato nell'animazione missionaria, attività che gli fu sempre cara. Dal 1964 al 1971 fu rettore nella casa saveriana di Holliston che accoglieva allievi missionari delle classi dal IX al XII grado.
Per capire meglio i problemi e l'urgenza dell'azione missionaria, passò un anno in Africa visitando le nostre missioni di Sierra Leone, Burundi e Zaire.
Tornato in USA, dopo aver partecipato come delegato al IX Capitolo Generale, fu eletto Superiore Regionale. Nel 1978 ebbe l'incarico dell'economia regionale, fu procuratore delle missioni e coordinatore della nostra attività di animazione missionaria.
Nel 1985 una grave disfunzione cardiaca, che richiese un intervento operatorio, fermò la sua attività. Durante la convalescenza ebbe a dire: "Sto imparando che nella vocazione missionaria c'è qualcosa di più dei viaggi, della predicazione, del costruire chiese, scuole e ospedali. Anche il dolore e il desiderio di partecipare alla missione sono elementi dell'azione missionaria".
Con questo pensiero visse gli ultimi giorni della sua esistenza. La morte lo colse nel sonno la mattina del 21 agosto 1988.
Fr. Evardo Zannoni
Casale di Castelnovomonti (Reggio Emilia), 6 febbraio 1930
Wayne - NJ, 21 agosto 1988
Fr. Edward Zannoni died at our house of Wayne (New Jersey – USA) on Aug. 21 1988, of a heart attack. He was 58 years old, born at Casale di Castelnuovo ne’ Monti (Reggio Emilia) on Feb. 6 1930.
Fr. Edward’s decision to join the Xaverians came when he was 16 years old. He entered the Xaverians at Poggio S. Marcello on Aug. 22 1946, and continued his studies at Piacenza and Zelarino. On Oct. 11 1950 he started the Novitiate Year at S. Pietro in Vincoli, and made his First Profession on Oct. 12 1951. He moved to Desio for Liceo and then, in 1954, he was sent to study theology in the USA.
Fr. Edward became a priest on Feb. 2 1959 in Milwaukee, ordained by Bishop Cousins, and started his ministry in mission education in the USA, a dear activity to him. He was rector of the minor Seminary at Holliston from 1964 to 1971, and spent a lot of time in traveling for mission appeals and for meeting with vocation candidates.
In order to understand better the realities of overseas mission, he spent a year in Africa, visiting confreres in their various posts in Sierra Leone, Burundi and Zaire. Back to the USA, after having taken part in the 9th General Chapter, Fr. Ed was elected Provincial Superior (1972-78). In 1978 he was named provincial Treasurer, and moved to Wayne, NJ. From the same house, he was also procurator for the missions, and coordinator of the mission activities of the Xaverians in the USA.
Fr. Bob Maloney, Provincial Superior, wrote: “Mission was a top priority in his life. Fr. Ed recognized his ability and gave his all for mission even if that demanded that his ‘dream’ to leave for overseas mission would be delayed. His mission work was steady, omnipresent and often unseen. He established our mission procure; responded to the endless requests of those Xaverians in direct mission service everywhere. His characteristic gift was ‘hospitality’ and he always found a way to accede to the demands made of him.”
He suffered of cardiac dysfunction in 1985, which required surgical operation and years of painful sufferings, limiting his abilities to be “active.” But during those years, he also mature the thought of “learning how the missionary vocation is something more than trips, preaching, building of churches, running of schools, or hospital care. Even our suffering and our desire to participate in the mission, are essential elements of the mission action of the Church...
I live a very limited activity-day. I get tired easily and life has become a daily struggle for me. But I do what I can, hang in there, take all from the loving God and Father. Mission for me now is prayer, sacrifice and desire… service to the extent I can. It’s a struggle! God’s will be done!” (Feb. 24 1988)
He died in his sleep in the morning of Aug. 21 1988. May the Good Lord welcome him Home.
