P. Rosolino Rossi
Grantorto di Annicco (CR), 9 febbraio 1914
Antegnate, 26 maggio 1977
Missionario in Brasile e servitore dei Confratelli ammalati. Di anni 63. Sepolto al Paese d'origine
Nato a Grantorto di Annicco (CR) il 9.II.1914, dopo le Elementari, era entrato nel Seminario Diocesano di Cremona e da questo a 17 anni era venuto nell'Istituto Saveriano, dove fece tempo a conoscere il Fondatore, riportandone un'impressione incancellabile. Professo temporaneo il 28.VIII.1932, venne ordinato Sacerdote nel Tempio del Sacro Cuore a Parma il 18.V.1939.
Trascorse un anno a Grumone (CR) come insegnante e quindi due anni a Parma come aiutante dell'Economo.
Dal 1943 alla fine del 1956 rimase per tredici anni ininterrottamente a Cremona, dove fu: Economo ed organizzatore della Casa Saveriana; quindi Rettore svolgendo una preziosa attività come formatore dei giovani aspiranti Fratelli Coadiutori e come amico e fratello di una sconfinata schiera di Sacerdoti che ricorrevano a lui per il consiglio e per la sua preziosa predicazione.
Finalmente la prima Domenica di gennaio 1957, durante una straordinaria cerimonia svoltasi nel Duomo di Cremona con la partecipazione di moltissimi tra amici ed Autorità, riceveva il Crocifisso e partiva per il Brasile.
In dieci anni di attività in Brasile svolse ruoli formativi come Rettore degli Studenti Saveriani a Curitiba e a Jaguapità, come Superiore religioso a Londrina manifestando la sua tipica caratteristica di persona ricca di cordialità nell'accogliere i Confratelli e nell'ascoltarli.
L'8 Dicembre 1967 imbarcatosi sulla Nave "Augustus" ritornava in Italia dove era stato richiamato per svolgere il delicato compito di Rettore della Casa Madre. Fu durante questi nove anni di attività che il P. Rosolino ebbe modo di esplicare un amoroso servizio a tutti i Confratelli che - giovani o anziani, in buona salute o ammalati - continuamente affluiscono e partono dalla Casa Madre. Per gli ammalati si interessava in modo tutto particolare contattando personalmente i vari medici della Città e precedendo i Confratelli nelle loro cure.
Il Signore lo chiamò al Cielo in modo repentino mentre in macchina tornava da un pellegrinaggio alla Madonna del Caravaggio, colpito da embolo, il 26.V.1977.
Fr. Rosolino Rossi
Grantorto di Annicco (CR), 9 febbraio 1914
Antegnate, 26 maggio 1977
Fr. Rosolino Rossi died of a heart attack in the car, on his way back from a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Caravaggio, on May 26 1977. He was 63 years old, born at Grantorto di Annicco (Cremona) on Feb. 9 1914.
After studies at the diocesan seminary of Cremona, Fr. Rosolino joined the Xaverians at 17 years of age, and began his Novitiate in Parma in Aug. 1931, where he was able to meet the Founder and appreciate his last days on earth. He professed religious vows on Aug. 28 1932, and after years of theology studies, he was ordained a priest on May 18 1939 at the Temple of Sacred Heart in Parma.
He spent a few years teaching at Grumone (Cremona) and in Parma as a treasurer. He then went to Cremona, where, for 13 years, he was much appreciated for his leadership qualities as Rector, his personality with civil authorities, and his companionship and guidance of diocesan priests and friends. (1943-56)
A confrere remembers: “I met Fr. Rossi for the first time when I entered the Xaverians in April 1949. He was the rector of the house of Cremona, which was the “House for Brothers” at that time. They were hard years, with simple and poor surroundings. Fr. Rossi taught us the meaning of sacrifice and self-giving with joy and availability. A good number of those Brothers are still with us.”
Fr. Rossi had the skill to make friends. His simple ways, his human touch, his cordiality were his best qualities, which required our response. He cared for friendships with love and personal sacrifice. He would go to visit the sick, he attended joyful and sad events of benefactors, and expressed often his bond to them in gratitude and thanksgiving.
On the first Sunday of January 1957 he received the mission Crucifix at the Cathedral of Cremona, with much participation of friends, benefactors, and civil authorities. He was assigned to Brazil.
He spent 10 years of his life working in Southern Brazil at the Curutiba seminary and Jaguapità as Rector of the Xaverian students, and then serving as Religious Superior at Londrina, with excellent abilities to converse with confreres and make them feel at home.
He made his returned to Italy by boat, on Dec. 8 1967, and was assigned the difficult task of being Rector of the Mother House, taking care of the sick, those who passed by on their way to mission assignments, and welcoming young and old Xaverians. While in Parma, Fr. Rossi felt deeply the situation of the elderly. He wrote: “It is only opportune and human that priests and brothers who are not able to take care of themselves be welcomed in the heart of the Mother House. It is an act of respect, of gratitude, of dutiful homage to those who have spent their lives for the missions and the Congregation. Their presence, in contact with our students, will provide for the youthful generations living examples for their life formation and their missionary spirit.” In a way, he made his own the phrase of Pope John XXIII: "To give with simplicity, fulfill your duty with urgency, and bear with joy life’s trials.”
An embolism on the trip home from a Pilgrimage at Caravaggio, suddenly ended his life.
