P. Giuseppe Galli
Veroli (Frosinone), 18 dicembre 1909
Como, 30 luglio 1974
Missionario nella preghiera e nella sofferenza, di anni 65. Sepolto a Parma
Nato a Veroli (FR) il 18.XII.1909, entrò nell'Istituto Saveriano a 16 anni, dopo aver studiato presso i Benedettini di Montecassino e di S. Paolo fuori le mura a Roma.
Professo il 3.XII.1926, già durante gli anni del Liceo e della Teologia ebbe il compito, che in seguito conserverà, di animare la vita liturgica e di essere Cerimoniere nella Casa Madre di Parma.
Il giorno dopo l'emissione dei Voti Perpetui, il 25.X.1931 ricevette il Sud-diaconato per le mani di Mons. Conforti, quando questi trascorreva l'ultima giornata terrena tra i suoi Figli in Via S. Martino 8. Venne ordinato Sacerdote dal primo Vescovo Missionario Saveriano, Mons. Luigi Calza, il 20.11.1932.
Passò poi alcuni anni come insegnante a Poggio S. Marcello, quindi come Confessore e Direttore Spirituale a Vallo della Lucania ed a Policastro.
Mentre si trovava nella Casa Saveriana di Grumone, nell'autunno del 1939 ebbe la prima delle tante chiamate alle armi che seguirono a momenti alterni per tutti gli anni della seconda guerra mondiale.
Terminato il conflitto fu di nuovo Direttore Spirituale a Grumone, a Parma per ministero e per l'amministrazione delle stampe; infine a Brescia per dieci anni (1957-67) Direttore Spirituale e confessore, stimato e ricercato dai Saveriani e dal Clero locale.
Nel frattempo la sua salute, già precaria per una cronica malattia ai piedi, si andava affievolendo. Fu ricoverato a Parma presso la Casa Madre, per 4 anni: unico diversivo alle sofferenze fu la vicinanza continua dei Confratelli giovani ed anziani che egli sentiva sempre con sè, grazie anche ad un altoparlante che gli portava in camera dalla Cappella Canti, preghiere e l'eco delle funzioni ivi celebrate.
Nel 1971 al giorno della sua andata al Cielo, - la mattina del 30.VII.1974 passò tre anni nella Comunità di Tavernerio vivendo la sofferenza con spiccato senso di vicinanza fisica e spirituale ai Fratelli, e manifestando ancora una volta il suo animo semplice, capace di interessarsi e di entusiasmarsi di tutto.
Fr. Giuseppe Galli
Veroli (Frosinone), 18 dicembre 1909
Como, 30 luglio 1974
Fr. Giuseppe Galli died at St. Anne's Hospital in Como on July 30 1974, struck with paresis. He was 64 years old, born at Veroli (Frosinone) on Dec. 18 1909.
He entered the Xaverians when he was 16 years old, after studies at the Benedictines in Montecassino and at S. Paolo outside the walls in Rome. After Novitiate, he professed religious vows on Dec. 3 1926. Since his advent into the Parma community, he held the responsibility of animating and preparing the liturgical life, often times being the Master of Ceremonies for special occasions.
He received the subdiaconate from the hands of Bishop Conforti on Oct. 25 1931, just 10 days before the Founder’s death. The first Xaverian Missionary Bishop, Msgr. Luigi Calza, ordained Fr. Giuseppe a priest on Feb. 20 1932. After ordination, he was sent as professor at Poggio S. Marcello, and then became Confessor and Spiritual Director at Vallo della Lucania and Policastro.
While he was in Grumone, in the fall of 1939, he was called to serve the country during World War II, which he did many times until its end. In 1946 Fr. Giuseppe was once again in Grumone, and then at Parma, overseeing the printing shop. Finally, he was assigned to Brescia for 10 years (1957-67) as Spiritual Director and confessor, with much appreciation from the local clergy.
He always had difficulties with circulation at his feet, and his health kept deteriorating; he was admitted at the Mother House for 4 years, suffering with exemplary faith and abandonment to the Lord. From 1971 to his death he was part of the community of Tavernerio, living his illness close to his brothers, showing much humility and simplicity in his relationships with confreres.
Prayer and listening to the Radio was not enough for him, and so he asked to do some minor work. At that time, the students of liceo decided to share some of their evening time by putting together boxes for a factory in Como, so as to show solidarity with the poor. It was this worked, as simple as it was, that Fr. Giuseppe held for many years. In fact, from 8 in the morning until noon, and from 2 until 6 in the evening, he would dedicate his time to putting boxes together. It was a way for him to love God, the Congregation and souls. His faithfulness, precision and joy in doing this menial job made people understand how we can fulfill our lives in whatever capacity we are called to serve, and that every good soil produces good results.
Fr. Giuseppe was admitted to the Hospital of St. Anne in Como because of a paresis on his left side, and he understood that the end was near. He asked to be brought back to the Xaverian house, but he died the next day, on July 30 1970, assisted by Fr. G. Barbini.
May the Lord welcome him into Paradise.
