Bishop Gianni Gazza, s.x.
July 19, 1924 - December 6, 1998
ishop
Gianni Gazza, Superior General of the Xaverians (1966-1977) has concluded his
sojourn in our midst and has returned home.
He was a Xaverian for 55 years – he is now part of the Xaverians who
with the Founder, Blessed Guido M. Conforti, constitute our family, now
growing at a more rapid pace, in the Father’s house.
Ordained a priest in 1949, Fr. Gazza received his mission assignment to Brazil in 1957. Only five years later he was consecrated bishop of the newly founded prelacy of Abaete do Tocantins, in the Amazon region. With a handful of Xaverian missionaries, he reached the far corners of his mission field, crisscrossed by a thousand rivers and marked out by the Tocantins and the mighty Amazon itself. He planted well the seed of the faith, and gained the respect of the people he loved. His heart was there. But in 1962, God’s will make itself known again by his election as superior General of the Xaverians.
His presence as Superior General was assuring and his concern for all Xaverians was singularly paternal – even in moments tried and tense. He was very present with his care and concern for the US Province, spearheading, among other things, the first “Regional Chapter” of this province, and encouraging the “sending of students” to overseas mission areas as part of their formation, a pioneer experiment in the Congregation. He spoke of collegiality and believed in it. He encouraged local autonomy and the role of Regional Superiors was strengthened, and their relationship with the local Bishops was supported. He encouraged the move toward international expansion.
Bishop Gazza loved the Xaverian family deeply, and he was strongest in his defense of the congregation we share as a common pride. His presence had a singular trait. It was reassuring and marked by trust. His silence was not silence – his heart was often heavy with matters which touch the innermost part of a person. He dealt with confreres’ leaving our mission family and others who left the priesthood. These were painful moments for a man with a truly paternal heart.
Bishop Gazza was able to take the heat and responsibility. He was a peacemaker, and again a caring parent who saw the family good first and his own personal feelings secondary.
After he moved on from Rome to Parma, and then as Ordinary of the diocese to Aversa, he never ceased being the quiet ever interested observer from afar. His role as Superior General marked him deeply and his thoughts oft returned to hidden memories which were at times both joy filled and marked by signs of painful and pondered concern.
Today, a brief fax-message bears the news of his passing. The death notice speaks little of an illness which lingered and a weakened strength which did not conceded him time for service again in northern Brazil, as he would have liked and tried. His travels over, and as life ebbed away from him, his goals were set on home. It was there that he would find his human family – parents, brother, his uncle and namesake, also Superior General of the congregation before hi, and hear the words, “Come! I was hungry, in need, in prison, in difficulty… for you did it to me!”
Bishop gazza, 74 years, 55 years of religious profession, 49 of priesthood, 36 years a bishop, 9 years missionary in Brazil, 11 years Superior General, 12 years Bishop of Aversa… Consecrated on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, his death finds haven in the mantle of her maternal protection. Bishop Gazza was a man who gave a meaningful affirmative nod to the Lord’s invitation… He accepted tasks of importance and gave them his best. Entrusted with the Congregation, he never counted the cost, nor did he claim honor or fame. His paternal silence gave room for his sons to grow. His wisdom allowed the novelty of Vatican II to flourish. He witnessed a decline in numbers, and times troubled, but his calm and widely radiated serenity was steeped and rooted in the Lord who beckoned him “Follow me” – and follow he did. He was a brother to brothers. He knew how to encourage and affirm. He was a man of hope, a man deeply attached to all which he was entrusted with. He was gentle, delicate, respectful of others, silent yet committed. Much was reserved to his inner self; who he truly was escaped the notice of many. The tapestry of his life story was entwined with that privacy which he gave to the knowledge he possessed regarding others.
We were enriched by his presence, service, simplicity, witness, we are saddened by his passing. Our prayerful remembrance recalls our debt for all he was and is to all Xaverians.
(From Xaverian Mission Newsletter)