r. Serafino Calza died at the age of
87, following a few days of hospital stay in Lunsar, Sierra Leone. In 1950 Fr. Calza was part of the first group of missionaries who came to this country to found a Xaverian mission presence in the Northern part of Sierra Leone, Makeni diocese. He was in Sierra Leone most of his mission life, with brief stays in Glasgow (3 years), in Italy and in the USA (two years).
Having experienced the expulsion from China, the Xaverians arrived in Sierra Leone in 1950. It was during that summer that four intrepid missionaries started the Xaverian presence in Africa. A ferry boat carried them to the port of Freetown where the local Bishop Kelly and some missionaries of the Holy Spirit welcomed them: they were Fr. Calza, Fr. Olivani, Fr. Stefani and the oldest of the group Fr. Azzolini. After a few months they started out in the north where the population was predominantly Muslim, and the Gospel finds it hard to make inroads. The Christian communities there were very small in number, and nobody thought they could succeed; some even said that “they were wasting their time!”
There they concentrated their attention on schools, cooperatives, health care, and the victims of leprosy. Out of these, they started catechumens groups, parish centers, and even a seminary for the education of local candidates to the priesthood. It was hard work, together with other religious organizations and orders. In 1987, the diocese of Makeni numbered over 3,000 Catholics, in ten parishes and many mission posts. Some 350 elementary schools were running well, about 35 high schools built, and the College of Makeni was established with its 13,000 students.
On behalf of the early Xaverians who dedicated some 40 years of mission service, Bishop Azzolini even received from the President of Sierra Leone, Stephen Shanka, the “Rokel” award, in 1987, the highest recognition of the country to “special benefactors” of Sierra Leone. In admiration he said: “You did miracles in the Northern Province.”
Sierra Leone moved into a difficult period in the 1990’s, a civil war which lasted ten years. It was a period of political instability, great movements of peoples, uncertainties for the future of the country, and loss of peoples through atrocities committed by various parties. About these events, Fr. Calza wrote:
Nine years of war in this small country of West Africa: I came here as missionary in 1950, and I have seen a lot; but this war... when will it end? At 83 years, a Xaverian missionary who has worked over the last 48 years in Sierra Leone. I often ask myself “What kind of war is this one?”
It’s a terrible war, filled with evil, which affects the people through the many episodes of stark cruelty. This explosion of hatred leaves me speechless, as tears fall down my face, in silence. These are people I have come to know, who are dear to me, who are mothers and fathers to me. Tribal wars, engrained in centuries old divisions; and those diamonds from “Kono country”, which fill the eyes of international contenders, and no one can stop them in their ways of causing havoc.
Mission residences are now burned; schools are raised to the ground; streets are deserted, except for those military check points every 5/10 miles; missionaries and people are leaving, seeking refuge in the forest; no more vibrant churches, lively schools, healing clinics and hospitals! We are called to leave behind all the work done in the past 50 years!
It’s Christmas eve, when I arrive in Italy, with a sad heart. The Lord comes down from heaven to take a human face in the Baby of Bethlehem. He too will leave soon for Egypt with Mary and Joseph, in search for safety from outside forces. Together with other Xaverians, I’m waiting from the word of the angel in a dream: "Now rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead."
The angel's dream did come true: in 2001, Fr. Calza went back to Sierra Leone, at the age of 85, stationed at the Retreat House in Lungi, sharing his wisdom and his hopes with the Xaverians who have returned to rebuild the Christian communities there. After 50 years of service, he was still part of the daily miracles of the missionary activity in Sierra Leone. Following the funeral mass at the Cathedral of Makeni, Fr. Serafino Calza now rests forever under the palm trees of the Xaverian house in Makeni.
(From Xaverian News)