Cameo Snapshots of the Past
Fr. Oddo Galeazzi, s.x.
1915-1983
A
Missionary Man of Prayer
n
1952 Fr. Oddo Galeazzi, exiled from China, veteran of Indonesia, came to
Holliston, MA. He had experienced
direct mission service. His mission
experience provided the thrust of his life.
His presence everywhere made mission come alive in the youthful American province. He pioneered mission displays and made the Holliston Shrine a Marian place of pilgrimage. He linked Fatima with World Mission. Holliston’s acres became a global sanctuary.
Fr. Oddo was dedicated, hard working, convincing in his message. No stone was too big, no dream unattainable. His mammoth Rosary conception was rooted in Kateri Tekawitha’s famed pebble rosary and linked with American’s own mission past. Its myriad language plaques make the world present, and tongues not empty babble but a universal hymn of Marian praise.
Fr. Oddo was welcoming and his greeting was joy-filled. He spoke of China, recalled Jpan and his Indonesia. His work was missionary wherever he was. There were no geographic limitations – mission is Church and Church is mission. The Holliston Shrine bears witness to his countless dedicated contributions. His Shrine Church is a temple of mission hope.
Fr. Oddo was a missionary. His youthful spirit radiated the ever youthful nature of his own mission dream. There was no “here” and “there” but merely the “now” place. The total community of Fatima devotees and well wishers became people in mission through his ministry. They became our mission family and joined in the Conforti dream “to make the world one.”
He fell accidentally, lingered briefly, and died peacefully. He rests in the Shrine cemetery he built. His spirit hovers about the trees and fields and rosary rock beads and station scenes, which he provided for our use in Mission. Isn’t Mission prayer and presence? That is the bequest he gave to us who “go forth…” to continue the mission story.
(from the Xaverian Mission Newsletter)