P. Pietro Valenti
Corniglio (PR), 21 agosto 1906
Parma, 21 maggio 1977
Missionario in Cina e Propagandista delle Missioni in Italia. Di anni 71. Sepolto a Parma
Nato a Corniglio (PR) il 21.VIII.1906, era entrato ancora ragazzo nel nostro Istituto, dove ebbe modo di nutrire la propria vocazione missionaria a contatto con Mons. Conforti ed interpretando con raro talento molti drammi missionari. Professo temporaneo il 2.IX.1923, fu ordinato Sacerdote il 30.111.1929.
Dopo l'Ordinazione fu per un anno propagandista delle Opere Missionarie in Emilia, poi, per quattro anni, a Massa Lucana per propaganda e ministero.
Partì per la. Cina nel 1934 e vi rimase fino al 1948 lavorando nell'Honan a Mienchin prima, quindi a Loyang. Scoppiata la guerra tra Cina e Giappone, dopo aver fatto parte di un Comitato locale per la distribuzione di miglio ai 5.000 profughi di Loyang, fu per tre anni in campo di concentramento a Sichwan dove, assieme all'harmonium di P. Fontana, contribuì con il suo violino alla "resistenza-serenità-allegria" dei Confratelli concentrati. Infine, risiedendo a Loyang, svolse il delicato e paziente compito di aiutante Procuratore e poi Procuratore della Missione; solo dopo tredici anni ininterrotti di vita missionaria lasciava la Cina per un giusto riposo in patria.
Dopo il suo rientro in Italia, fu dapprima Confessore a S. Pietro in Vincoli, poi per tre anni Vicerettore ed insegnante di inglese a Vicenza.
Nel 1953 fu inviato in Scozia ove, salvo la parentesi di un anno a Londra, rimase fino al 1957.
Con il 1958 iniziò la sua lunga attività a Parma come Vicerettore ed aiutante dell'Economo Generale. Fu pure per due anni a Roma (1970-71) come Vice Economo Generale, poi fece ritorno a Parma ove si interessò della Mostra Missionaria al posto del compiano P. P. Stocco.
Padre Valenti sapeva farsi voler bene da tutti, sempre sereno, dal fare modesto, fraterno, semplice, buono ed ospitale. Amò profondamente l'Istituto Saveriano ed il Ministero Sacerdotale, prestandosi volentieri per le confessioni e per la predicazione nelle varie Parrocchie.
Gli ultimi mesi di vita trascorsi a Parma furono una lunga preparazione al suo trapasso. Dopo lunga degenza alla Casa di Cura delle Piccole Figlie, per un tumore, moriva sereno com'era stato sereno in tutta la sua vita, il 21.V.1977.
Fr. Pietro Valenti
Corniglio (PR), 21 agosto 1906
Parma, 21 maggio 1977
Fr. Pietro Valenti died on May 21 1977 at the nursing home of the “Piccole Figlie” of Parma, due to a tumor at the stomach. He was 70 years old, born at Corniglio (Parma) on Aug. 21 1906.
He entered the Xaverians when he was a child, and inspired by the guidance and missionary zeal of Msgr. Conforti, he professed Religious Vows on Sept. 2 1923, and was ordained a priest on March 30 1929. From his biographical notes, we read: “When I entered the Xaverians, I was in tears for many days, and no word or gentle reminders would bring me comfort. I was 10 years old, and I would be in fear in front of the Superiors. I refused to eat, for this type of life was impossible for me. Therefore, I left and went home. My mother, who knew me well, brought me back to the Xaverians in Parma. Since that event, I began to accept this new life and progress in my formation.”
During Novitiate and the theology studies, he joined the Xaverian band by playing the trumpet, and even studied the violin with Fr. Turci, under the guidance of Teachers from the Conservatory of Parma. Fr. Valenti was an important member of the Xaverian band for Academies, liturgical celebrations in the Chapel, and festal gatherings at the Mother House. After ordination, he worked in mission promotion for the Missionary Works in the region of Emilia (one year) and at Massa Lucana (for four years).
He received his destination to China in 1934, and worked in Honan at Mienchin, and at Loyang until 1948. He took care of 5,000 refugees during the Japanese-Chinese war, and while in concentration camp at Sichwan, he helped easy the days of the confreres with his violin, to the enjoyment of all. After the concentration camp, he was Procurator of the Mission at Loyang. While he was in Mienchin, he drew and was guide of many Chinese artists and woodworkers for the creation of altars, tabernacles, etc… requested by the various missionaries, and even the Superior Fr. Gazza for the religious Domus.
Towards the end of 1937 and the beginning of 1938, Fr. Valenti was asked to help Fr. Turci in far-away and isolated Shui-kow-miao, the place where Fr. M. Frassinetti had worked. He went to Loyang from July 1938 to June 1942. He also helped Fr. Sinibaldi in the distribution of daily food to over 5,000 refugees in 1940 in the West Area of Loyang. Both fathers were part of the local emergency committee, and contributed on a monthly basis with financial help. During the days of concentration camp, Fr. Valenti, with his violin, joined Fr. Fontana, with his pedal-organ, in entertaining the confreres, thus bringing serenity and joy to the group in that difficult situation.
After 13 full years of mission in China, he returned to Italy where he was appointed confessor at S. Pietro in Vincoli, and then vice-rector and English teacher at Vicenza for three years. He then went to Scotland for four years (1953-57). Recalled back to Parma, he started his long activity of vice-rector at Parma and General Vice-Treasurer, both in Parma and Rome (1970-71), following in particular the Mission Shows, taking the place of the late Fr. P. Stocco.
He loved everyone, was ever serene, modest, simple, hospitable. He loved the congregation and his priestly ministry in different parishes. His last months of his life were another journey of offering his life for the Xaverian missionaries, as he dealt with the stomach tumor, until the day of his death on May 21 1977.
