“You also, be ready” (Mt 24,44)

At the age of 78, Father Giacomo Ghislanzoni has entered into the joy of his Master.  Suddenly, just as the Lord himself had warned, his time had come on tip toes.  Born at Domaso (Province of Como) on the 13th February 1929, the young Giacomo joined the junior seminary at Colico at the age of 12.  In 1946 he did his novitiate in Balarin and in 1947 made his first profession.  On his return to Italy, he was ordained priest at Albiate, after his final profession, in 1950.

He dedicated his entire life to the education of the young.  He taught Theology for years in State schools.  Those who were his students in Busto Arsizio were greatly marked by him.  Of course, like everybody else he had to put up with suffering and contradictions.  His strength of character refused half measures.  And for the countless students who came in contact with him, he was and always will be a reference.  Because his life style was strict and because he was demanding  (with himself first of all), he had a good relationship with the young who, even when grown up and working , continued to keep  in contact with him and would pay him visits.

He loved poetry; the poetic soul of Father Giacomo could be expressed every where from sermons to his writings. The review Presenza Betharramita included him in its full time editors,  and his poems always had their own page.

We shall keep him in our prayers, now that he can contemplate Christ face to face.  And we know that he will enjoy forever that fullness of Joy towards which his whole life strove.

Graziano Sala,SCJ

Provincial Superior of Italy

 I believe and so I attain the dawn

O God, my father was an early riser,

Fisherman at dawn, like the cockerel or the almond tree;

Shepherd at dawn, whose ideas were clear and exact.

My mother was slim, tall like the spire of a cathedral.

From her I think I inherited a Faith which was

Simple, hardy and silent like early morning:

Later I added my heady wanderings

And the impact of knowledge.

O God, O father, help me to believe in the essential,

Help  me to appreciate the dawn.

You are telling me: “Go forward, my soul! Be beautiful!

Go out to meet the world who is requesting your hand,

Go out and keep the tears in your eyes,

Advance like the flowing of a gentle stream.”

Giacomo Ghislanzoni,SCJ

Presenza betharramita, March-June 1999