Fr. Angelo Dalla Valle
Zimella (Verona) 10 settembre 1913.
Parma 15 novembre1996
Consumato da un linfoma esteso, comparso lo scorso aprile, si è spento in Casa Madre, alle ore 02.00 del 15.11.1996, Fr. Angelo Dalla Valle. Aveva compiuto da poco 83 anni essendo nato a Zimella (Verona) il 10.9.1913.
Con Fr. Angelo scompare uno dei Saveriani che hanno conosciuto il beato Guido Maria Conforti. Entrato nella casa di Vicenza nel 1926, due anni dopo fu ammesso al Noviziato e il 3 dicembre 1929 emise la Prima Professione nelle mani del Fondatore.
La vita saveriana di Fr. Dalla Valle è caratterizzata da tre lunghi periodi di servizio nelle case d’Italia (1930-1955), poi del Brasile (1955-1971) e infine ancora dell’Italia.
Dal ’30 al ’55 fu successivamente a Poggio S. Marcello (1930), Grumone (1931), S. Pietro in Vincoli (1932-33), Poggio S. Marcello e Grumone (1934), Grumone (1935-39), Roma (1940), Capriglio (1941-42), Roma (1943-49) e Parma (1949-54). Una lunga serie di cambiamenti che, mentre documentano lo stile della vita religiosa di quegli anni, testimoniano la disponibilità di Fr. Angelo a spostarsi da una casa all’altra e a servire come le esigenze e l’obbedienza gli chiedevano o in cucina, o in lavanderia o al Tempio del S. Cuore come sacrestano.
Nel 1955 Fr. Angelo, con la sua caratteristica delicatezza e disponibilità chiese di essere mandato in missione: “... faccio domanda di essere mandato in missione. Se mi è permesso di esprimere un desiderio, vorrei andare in Brasile, terra certamente non strettamente di missione, ma dato che si può fare del bene e anche sono meno difficili la lingua, le abitudini e il clima, credo sia per me la migliore”.
Raggiunse il Brasile nel 1955 e vi rimase fino al 1971. Lavorò in molte case saveriane (San Paolo, Cerro Azul, Morretes, Curitiba, Jaguapità, Laranjeiras, Santa Mariana, Villa Diadema, Lupionopolis) svolgendo nelle varie comunità compiti diversi, come: addetto alla casa e alle opere parrocchiali, catechista, prefetto, addetto all’azienda agricola, impiegato nell’ufficio plastica.
Nel 1971 si concluse la fase brasiliana della vita di Fr. Angelo e iniziò il periodo parmense che lo vide per venticinque anni, fino quasi alla vigilia della morte, impegnato nei servizi della casa, nella stampa e spedizione delle varie pubblicazioni della Regione Italiana.
“Pronto, però - come era solito concludere le sue rare lettere - a far sempre la S. Ubbidienza dei Superiori” (Lett. 20.9.38).
Il Signore accolga nel Suo Regno questo suo servo buono e fedele.
Br. Angelo Dalla Valle
Zimella (Verona) 10 settembre 1913.
Parma 15 novembre1996
Consumed by lymphoma of last April, Br. Angelo Dalla Valle died at the Mother House in Parma at 2.00am of Nov. 15, 1996. He had just celebrated his 83rd birthday, born at Zimella (Verona) on Sept. 10, 1913.
With him, another eyewitness of those who lived with the Founder, passed away from our midst. He entered the Xaverian in Vicenza in 1926, and after two years of studies, he did Novitiate and professed Religious Missionary Vows in the hands of Blessed Guido M. Conforti on Dec. 3 1929. Three were the moments of mission and religious life of Brother Angelo: an extended period of service in many houses in Italy (1930-55), then service in Brazil (1955-71), and finally back to Italy, mainly in Parma, till his death.
Br. Angelo worked following the imminent needs of each house in Italy, especially kitchen, laundry and sacristan, at Poggio S. Marcello (1930), Grumone (1931), S. Pietro in Vincoli (1932-33), Poggio S. Marcello e Grumone (1934), Grumone (1935-39), Rome (1940), Capriglio (1941-42), Rome (1943-49) and Parma (1949-54). It's a long series of changes; yet they reflect not only the style of religious life of those days, but also the constant availability on the part of Brother Angelo to be able to serve the needs of the communities and the superiors.
With his usual finesse and availability, Brother Angelo wrote in 1955: "...I wish to be send to overseas missions. And if I could express my desire, I would like to go to Brazil. It's not a land strictly considered mission, but because of the language, the customs, and the climate, I think I can give my best in this environment."
Having received the assignment to Brazil, again he served many communities there for about 15 years, until 1971, as catechist, prefect, in charge of farming, etc., in San Paolo, Cerro Azul, Morretes, Curitiba, Jaguapitą, Laranjeiras, Santa Mariana, Vila Diadema, Lupionopolis. Fr. Medici remembers some sketches of his life in Brazil: “He came with the mentality of being of service to the priests and the mission, and he went about this way without complaining or wanting to promote himself… At the beginning, we lived at N. Senhora de Siąo parish in Ipiranga, in a poor house build of bare bricks, without ceilings or protection from the wind. We would suffer cold during the winter, and the rest of the year we were infested by cockroaches. But he wouldn’t complain. Why should we live differently than the rest of our poor parishioners?”
And Br. Masseroni remembers the time in Jaguapitą: “In 1959 we had the official starting of the Apostolic School at Jaguapitą, and we used to work together as prefects of the 50 student. Br. Angelo was with the small ones, because of his age and ‘father figure’… He was in charge of music and singing, and the Sunday mass was always sang in Gregorian, while the Thursday Holy Hour was animated with local songs… I treasure that period as one of the best of our mission experience, even in the midst of a poor environment, because it was rich of fraternity through his silent presence, ever attentive to the needs and normal challenges of community life… He spoke well of everyone, and whenever there was someone who was talked about in a negative way, he would stay quiet… I also want to highlight his devotion to our Blessed Lady…"
At Santa Mariana: “The house we moved in originally, was a disaster, with broken windows and no furniture. We would laugh when it came to dinner time: without a table, we would put a large wooden beam across the sick and the stove, and there we would eat; but taking our turns, because we had only one set of silverware, and one plate. He would jokingly say: ‘Look at the low point we arrived’, and we would continue with more laughter.” (Fr. Medici) His motto was: “It is not important the place I have, as much as the way in which I live.”
Finally he returned to Parma where he showed his availability to the Italian region for 25 years, by mailing, printing, operator of the press, lover of the founder, and other house services. “I am ever ready to do the Holy Will of the Superiors” as he used to conclude his few letters! May the Lord welcome into his Reign this good and faithful servant.
