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«My old age is a wonderful gift of joy.» - Fr. Elio Farronato

«My old age is a wonderful gift of joy.» - Fr. Elio Farronato


By Lwanga Kakule
 
Father Elio Farronato doesn't like to be talked to any how, he prefers to be talked to on a first-name basis. "It's more fraternal," he justifies. Aged 80, on July 11, 2020, he inaugurated the Golden Jubilee of his priestly ordination, "a sign of God's love" for him, despite his "weaknesses", he shared in his homily. Arriving in DR Congo in 1971, he confessed that he was a beneficiary of the love of the Congolese people, with whom he shared 45 years of his life, and he feels happy to give his life for his "brothers" during these years. As a witness of the history of the DR Congo, a country with political, social, economic and other problems, he rejoices in the transformations of the Congolese people, especially in their progressive awareness to take their destiny into their own hands and improve their living conditions.






What attracted you to the Comboni missionaries?
I was captivated by the enthusiasm of the Comboni Missionaries for the mission; I felt in them a passion for Africa. Their love and respect for Africa and Africans made an impression on me. Besides, my brother Lorenzo Farronato had already entered their house. At the technical school where I had studied - which was run by the Salesians of Don Bosco - I had shown my desire to be a missionary. The religious wanted me to enter their congregation, but I did not want to give up my desire to be Comboni Missionary, so deep was it.
Had you ever heard of Africa before coming to live there?
From childhood - already at the age of nine - I had in my heart the project of being a missionary in Africa. In fact, at home we subscribed to the Childhood Missionary magazine "Il Piccolo Missionario" - the Little Missionary, in Italian - published by the Comboni Missionaries of Italy. The stories told in that magazine about Africa nourished my child's heart and prepared me for the mission. 
Besides this, in the houses of formation we breathed Africa and cultivated enthusiasm for the mission. Our formators were examples of life given for the mission; they shared their missionary experiences with us. In this way, they transmitted to us the passion for Africa. The Italian media did not speak at all about this continent; unlike the French and the Belgians, who were more open to Africa.
 
What memories have you left with you of the first meetings with the Congolese in 1971?

I landed in Kinshasa on March 20, 1971 at 2:00 a.m. I had landed in Kinshasa. On the plane, the atmosphere was European, but when I got off, I was struck by a breath of hot, humid air. I had seen the blacks stirring, in activity, around the plane. When I saw this, I said to myself, "This is it, I'm in Africa". I was alone, no one was waiting for me at the airport - in fact, the Comboni Missionaries had not yet settled in Kinshasa - and amidst the shouting and confusion, someone pointed to a taxi; the taxi driver quickly took my luggage and we left to get it. On the way, in the darkness of that night, bad thoughts came over me: "I am alone in this taxi, no one waiting for me. What if the driver and his friend take my luggage away from me...? ». On the contrary, we had arrived safely at the procurator's office where I was staying for a few days. Afterwards I had continued on my way to Isiro, where my brother Lorenzo was waiting for me. I had spent three months with him; during this time I was beginning to enter the new culture and to learn Lingala. I remember that I was learning a lot with the children and that the encounter of sympathy and friendship with the little ones was beautiful and fascinating.
On June 13,  I arrived at my first mission, at Ndedu, among the Azande, and at the end of the month I began to visit the chapels. I left on Tuesday and returned on Sunday. Since the audience was different, each day I prepared a single homily, which I enriched each evening with the old ones. At the end, at the central chapel, I arrived, prepared for a homily in good Lingala and animated with examples from daily life.
I remember the visit to a chapel, where we had arrived on foot, because there were no roads. After Mass, I was used to visiting the sick in their homes. That day, since the catechist had told me that the sick lived close by, I insisted on visiting them directly after Mass. To my surprise, to reach the first sick person, we walked for two and a half hours in the forest. I had baptized him after a short catechesis; it was a moving discovery.
 
You are 80 years old, and you have lived more than half of your life (45 years) in DR Congo. What are the joys that you have experienced in your mission?

The joy of fraternity and of feeling that in Jesus we are all brothers. I have experienced this with white and black confreres and with lay collaborators, men and women. I must confess that they helped me a lot through their fraternal affection and that they avoided many errors through their wise advice.
In the nineties, on the roads of Kinshasa, when I was called 'mondele' (white), I answered 'moindo' (black). As time went by, I understood that God is our father and that we are all brothers. That's why when Isiro's bikers called me 'mondele' (worldly), I was happy to answer 'ndeko' (brother), until they too began to call me 'ndeko' with mutual joy. With this little word, I had become their brother. In all the missions where I lived, I felt welcomed, understood and loved in a joyful fraternity.


 

 

And the difficulties?
I met them in community where I witnessed the lack of fraternity: One of my experiences was when there was no understanding between the superior and a confrere of the community - both of whom were good missionaries, very zealous and generous -. It was painful, because there was no affection between the two, or else mistrust continued. Sometimes their misunderstandings disturbed my sleep.
The other difficult experience was in the mission of Bambilo, 700 km from Kisangani. For the first few months it was very difficult for me to adapt. In fact, we lacked everything. We had a house in 'potopoto', where the mice used to walk around as if they were at home. In and around the yard, we regularly saw snakes, termites gnawed at our clothes. There were also great difficulties in finding food; besides the difficult roads to get there, the only way to get there was by letter, which took months to reach its destination and months for us to receive an answer. I went through these experiences of suffering, but in serenity, because I understood that they are part of the missionary life that I freely chose.
 
You have certainly witnessed the social changes in this country. What are the most significant for you?

I have seen the deterioration of the economic and social system, health care, roads, especially in the interior of the country; but I have also witnessed the growth of the Congolese people, their ability to organize themselves, and even to demand that the authorities work for the well-being of the people. In Mobutu's time, everyone, even intellectuals, -except for a small handful-, uncritically swallowed everything the leader dictated. Now the people have the courage to speak out and openly challenge what the authority says or does. The people are now aware that they are suffering because of the misconduct of their authorities. That is why they do not give up; on the contrary, they respond with mature and effective civic actions. I am pleased to see today that the Congolese people have grown in awareness and resilience.
 
You are also a witness to the journey of the Church in the Congo. What are the most significant aspects of this journey for you as a missionary?

First of all, the visual aspects. When I arrived in the Congo, at the Eucharistic celebrations, around the altar, I saw only white missionaries and a few Congolese priests. Now it's the opposite. For example, our Comboni province used to be mostly Italian; today the majority of its members are Congolese. I imagine that Comboni, seeing this, is rejoicing in heaven.
For seven years I was rector of the Anuarite shrine at Isiro, a privileged place of encounter and deep faith for our mothers and fathers. Some people have marked me with their testimony of faith; with others, I have woven relationships of great friendship, brotherhood and trust. I remember the catechists Mbelenge and Simon, from Nangazizi (Isiro). We worked together for ten years in harmony, esteem and fraternity. I owe them a lot for their wisdom and sincerity. I met real mothers and sisters. They know how to see things that we men do not see. Their advice and admonitions as well as their sincere friendship has always been for me a gift from God.
Here in Kinshasa, I continue to meet edifying testimonies, consecrated and lay people, souls truly in love with Jesus. Comboni now urges us to go forward. Many are the testimonies of the men and women of this country who clearly tell us that we have unknown saints among us. I believe it is time for Africa to bring the Gospel to the world.
 
Even though you're 80 years old, I can still see you're very vigorous. What does this passage from Psalm 91:15 inspire you: "Growing old, it still bears fruit, it keeps its sap and greenness. » ?

I know that I am almost at the end of my run. Now I am trying to correct myself before it is too late. Perhaps that is why the Lord is giving me even more opportunities to help, to comfort troubled hearts and sorrowful souls. Never, as here in Bibwa, have I met so many people who come to me for faith comfort and not to ask for material help. I thank the Lord for all the good he gives me to accomplish. My old age is a wonderful gift of joy; I can reassure you that my years have not been "sorrow and misery" (Ps 89), but a story full of experiences of love and joy, for I am convinced that there is more joy in giving than in receiving (Acts 20:35).
 
 



 

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