P. Alessandro Patacconi
Potenza Picena (Macerata), 12 gennaio 1913
Tavernerio (Como), 19 settembre 1986
Impegnato nell'animazione missionaria e nella missione d'Indonesia. Di anni 73.
Il P. Alessandro Pataccni ha concluso la sua vita improvvisamente a Tavernerio il 19 settembre scorso. Egli si trovava in quella casa da due giorni in attesa di recarsi in famiglia per un breve periodo di riposo.
Il giorno prima era passato da Grumone dove aveva rievocato i due anni vissuti colà come studente ed aveva pregato a lungo davanti alla Grotta. Poi era andato anche ad Antegnate ed aveva sostato nel luogo dov'era morto il P. Rosolino Rossi. Anche là si era raccolto in preghiera e poi aveva esclamato: "Che bella morte!"
Il mattino del giorno 19, atteso per la celebrazione della Messa, non si era fatto vedere. Si pensava che, stanco del viaggio del giorno precedente, volesse riposarsi un po'. Più tardi, quando l'attesa cominciava ad essere troppo lunga, i confratelli andarono a bussare alla sua porta. Il P. Patacconi giaceva bocconi per terra, fulminato da un infarto.
Il P. Alessandro Patacconi era nato a Potenza Picena (MC) nel 1913 ed aveva fatto la sua professione il 12 settembre 1935. Ordinato sacerdote nel 1942, era stato mandato nel Friuli per l'apertura di una casa in quella regione. Il suo tentativo non diede gli esiti sperati, anche per la guerra in corso.
Così egli fu inviato nella casa di Ancona (1949) dove rimase, impegnato nella scuola e nel ministero , fino alla sua partenza per l'Indonesia (10.12.1953).
I sette anni passati in quella missione (1953-1960) furono assai impegnativi per lui. Fu a Padang, Sawalunto, cappellano militare, incaricato del seminario, parroco a Sikakap nelle Mentaway. Tenne a lungo delle conversazioni religiose alla radio.
Nel 1961 lo troviamo a Parma come propagandista nei seminari e addetto allo CSAM (Centro Saveriano di Azione Missionaria). Nel 1963 fu mandato in Scozia come cappellano degli emigranti italiani e direttore spirituale dei nostri. Nel 1956 fu di nuovo incaricato della propaganda nei seminari d'Italia dove fu sempre ottimamente accolto per la sua carica missionaria ed umana.
Nel 1968 fu nominato Maestro dei Novizi a S. Pietro in Vincoli e nel 1969 di quelli di Galasgow. Un grave incidente stradale lo costrinse a sospendere a lungo questo suo incarico ed infine, a rinunciarvi.
Nei 1972 andò in Indonesia con l'intenzione di rimanervi, ma le autorità non gli concessero il Visa. Fu un colpo durissimo per lui. Fece ritorno a Glasgow e nel 1975 fece un nuovo tentativo missionario in Sierra Leone. La sua salute non resse a quel clima e dovette di nuovo tornare in Scozia. Riprese il suo prezioso ministero sacerdotale, la predicazione di giornate missionarie, l'assistenza a quanti ricorrevano al suo aiuto spirituale.
P. Patacconi aveva un carattere generoso, esuberante, pronto ad accendersi per ogni cosa buona. Notevole il suo spirito di fede e spiccata la sua carità e la sua comprensione per gli altri.
La sua salma riposa a Potenza Picena, suo paese natio.
Fr. Alessandro Patacconi
Potenza Picena (Macerata), 12 gennaio 1913
Tavernerio (Como), 19 settembre 1986
Fr. Alessandro Patacconi died of a heart attack on Sept. 19 1986 at the house of Tavernerio. He was 73 years old, born on Jan. 12 1913 at Potenza Picena (Macerata).
He joined the Xaverians through first vows on Sept. 12 1935 and, after studies of theology in Parma, was ordained to the priesthood in 1942. His first assignment was to find an opening for a house in Friuli, which never materialized, mainly because of World War II. He then worked at Ancona (1949) as teacher and in pastoral ministry, till his departure for Indonesia on Dec. 10 1953.
On his request for assignment to Indonesia, he wrote to the Superior General: “Most Rev. Father, knowing how many other confreres (such as Frs. Picci and Veronesi) have requested to leave for the missions on a day dedicated to our Lady, today, a day consecrated in honor to our Lady, as Mary Immaculate, I dare request to be sent overseas. I would trust that this request will finally come true.” (Dec. 8 1952)
He spent 7 years in Indonesia (from 1953 until 1960), working in different parishes and services: Padang, Sawalunto, military chaplain, administrator of the Seminary, parish priest at Sikakap in the Mentaway, and even radio commentator on religious matters.
Fr. Alessandro returned to Parma in 1961 where he became responsible for Missionary Education at the CSAM for a couple of years. In 1963, he goes to Scotland as chaplain of Italian immigrants and spiritual director of Xaverian students. He is back to Italy in 1966, and entrusted with Vocation work and visits of the seminaries of Italy and share his missionary experiences.
He is named Master of Novices at S. Pietro in Vincoli in 1968, and then in Glasgow in 1969, but a bad car accident will convince him to resign from this post. In 1972, Fr. Alessandro tried to reapply for a visa to Indonesia, but he was refused, causing great disappointment in his life. He also tried some months in Sierra Leone in 1975, but his health could not withstand the climate. He returned to Scotland where he continued in his pastoral ministry, preaching mission appeals, and being spiritual director to many who sought his guidance.
Fr. Patacconi was generous indeed, exuberant and excited about many good things and the Xaverian community. He was known for his his spirit of faith, his remarkable charity, and his understanding of others.
In one of his letters, which recalled his 70th birthday, he wrote: “I cannot believe that I am 70 years old, but that’s reality. I thank the Lord, indeed, for he has always been at my side. And when I would wander off, he would come after me and hold me. How good is the Lord!” (Jan. 10 1983)
After a visit in the USA in 1981, he wrote: “I went to the USA to give a helping hand for Mission Appeals to those dear confreres working there. They treated me with much charity and goodness. Ah, those great missionaries: they are truly excellent.”
He died suddenly in Tavernerio while visiting there, overcome by a heart attack, after having spent a few days at Grumone, praying extensively in front of the Grotto, and having visited Antegnate where Fr. Rosolino Rossi died, remarking “What a beautiful death!”
The morning of Sept. 19th he was expected downstairs for Mass, as he had agreed, but did not show up. The community through that he might have felt tired from the previous day’s travels and had decided to rest a bit longer. Later on, as the waiting became too prolonged, they knocked at his door and they found him on the floor, lifeless, struck with by heart attack. His heart and soul were ready for the encounter with the loving God.
P. Alessandro Patacconi
Potenza Picena (Macerata), 12 gennaio 1913
Tavernerio (Como), 19 settembre 1986
Pastor Alessandro Patacconi lahir pada tanggal 12 Januari 1913 di Macerata, Italia Tengah. Setelah menamatkan pelajaran di sekolah dasar, ia bekerja sebagai tukang batu. Pada suatu hari Minggu ia mengikuti misa yang dipersembahkan oleh seorang misionaris. Dalam kotbahnya misionaris tersebut mengajak kawula muda untuk bersama-sama dengan Yesus mendirikan kerajaan-Nya di dunia. Pada waktu ia berumur 18 tahun, timbullah keinginan di dalam hatinya untuk mengikuti panggilan Yesus menjadi seorang miosionaris. Keinginan itu diutarakannya kepada kedua orantuanya. Setelah mendaptakan restu dari kedua orangtuanya, ia lalu memasuki seminari di Poggio S. Marcello, tidak jauh dari kotanya.
Peralihan dari pekerjaannya sebagai tukang batu, yang setiap hari bergulat dengan batu, semen dan pasir, ke bangku sekolah serta bergulat dengan buku-buku,pada awalnya dirasakannya sangat berat. Namun, akhirnya kesulitan tersebut dapat diatasinya. Setelah menamatkan sekolah menengah, ia mulai menempuh studi filsafat dan teologi,dan berhasil dengan baik . Pada tanggal 21 Maret 1942 ia ditahbiskan menjadi imam.
Sambil menunggu datangnya perintah untuk berangkat ke tanah misi, ia ditugaskan untuk menjadi promotor panggilan misioner .Pada tanggal 10 Desember 1953 barulah ia berangkat menuju Indonesia.
Setelah terlebih dahulu mempelajari bahasa, ia ditugaskan untuk mengajar di SMP frater di Padang. Selain itu, setiap hari Minggu ia berkarya di antara orang-orang Nias di Bukit Padang. Ketika Pastor Canizzaro yang bertugas di Mentawai secara mendadak diserang penyakit malaria dan harus dirawat di Italia, Pastor Patacconi diutus untuk menggantikannya.
Dalam perjalannya menuju Mentawai, di tengah laut kapalnya dicegat oleh kapal dari Jawa. Situasi negara indonesia pada waktu itu belum stabil, dan masih banyak tedapat pengacau-pengacau keamanan. Ia diangkut ke kapal itu. Tapi begitu sang kapten kapal mengetahui bahwa ia adalah seorang pastor, ia langsung diterima dengan baik. Akhirnya ia dikirim dengan sebuah kapal ke Mentawai. Dalam perjalanan inilah kapalnya diserang oleh badai, sehingga seluruh badannya basah kuyup.
Di Siberut ia mulai mempelajari bahasa melalui percakapan langsung dengan anak-anak. Hal itu dilakukannya setiap hari. Ia selalu siap dengan catatannya untuk mencatat kata-kata maupun istilah-istilah yang baru. Dengan demikian, sambil belajar bahasa Mentawai, ia juga menyusun sebuah kamus bahasa Mentawai.
Karena berbakat dalam bidang musik, maka dengan pertoongan Petrus (seorang katrekis),ia menterjemahkan nyanyian-nyanyian dari bahasa Italia ke bahasa Mentawai. Orang Mentawai ternyata sangat suka menyanyi. Kiranya masih terngiang di ingatan mereka nyanyian “ Matonem bagakku ka Taikamanua..” Dan pada masa Natal biasanya diperdengarkan lagu “ Nu bara ka Manua, Yesus Rimata..” (Engkau datang dari Surga, Yesus Raja Agung). Semua itu merupakan hasil dari jerih payah Pastor Alessandor Patacconi.
Pada tahun 1957 datanglah beberapa utusan dari Mentawai Selatan. Dengan mengendarai sampan mereka berangkat ke Siberut untuk mencari pastor yang siap berangkat ke kampung Matobe,guna memberkati orang-orang kampung mereka yang ingin masuk Katolik. Maka berangkatlah Pastor Patacconi dan Pastor Angelo untuk membangun Gereja di Sikakap. Dengan bantuan para katekis sukarela yang bertugas di kampung-kampung, kedua pastor ini mulai membangun Gereja di sana.
Pada tahun 1961 Pastor Alessandro dipanggil ke Italia untuk menjadi promotor panggilan di sana, kemudian di Skotlandia dan Inggris. Keberhasilannya bisa dilihat dari banyaknya pemuda yang tertarik untuk menjadi misionaris. Di Skotlandia ia pernah mengalami kecelakaan mobil yang membuat ia harus selalu memakai korset untuk membantu tulang punggungnya.
Karena rindu pada Indonesia, daerah misi yang ikut dirintisnya maka ia kembali ke Indonesia pada tahun 1970. Tetapi karena korset itu, ia tak tahan lagi dengan iklim khatulistiwa. Maka terpaksa ia kembali ke Eropa untuk melanjutkan tugasnya di Skotlandia. Namuin ia tetap merindukan Indonesia, khususnya Metawai. Pernah ia mendapat izin dari superiornya untuk mengunjungi Indonesia. Ia menulis surat kepada Pastor Petrus di Padang, dan memberitakan bahwa ia akan berangkat ke Padang bersama dengan Pastror Angelo. Tetapi pada tanggal 20 September 1986, sebelum ia sempat berangkat ke Indonesia, datang interlokal yang menyampaikan kabar bahwa Pastor Alessandro Patacconi telah meninggal dunia di Tavernerio karena trombosis (tersubmatnya saluran pembuluh darah). Pada pagi hari, karena ia belum juga bangun dari tidurnya, maka Pastor Angelo bermaksud untuk membangunkannya. Lampu di dalam kamarnya memang hidup, tetapi tidak ada jawaban samasekali. Akhirnya bersama dengan Pastor A. Pelizzo, Pastor Angelo membuka dengan paksa pintu kamar Pastor Alessandro. Ternyata tubuh Pastor Patacconi telah mendingin. Ia meninggal tepat di depan pintu masuk kamarnya. Saya hanya dapat berkata: “Pastor Alesandro Patacconi tercinta, selamat beristirahat di pangkuan Bapa.”
