In Pace Christi

The news of the sudden death of this confrere came like the blow of a thin, sharp blade: Fr. Santino had been home for a short holiday from his mission in the diocese of Marsabit, Kenya, where he was Vicar General. His sister Gioconda wrote: - the father had returned from Africa with a heart problem that had been with him for some time.

He was the second of four children, two boys and two girls. The family was working class: Antonio was a shoemaker and his wife Domenica Acquistapace, a homemaker. Poor, but with a long tradition of solid faith. A paternal uncle, don Giuseppe, had died as a military chaplain during the 1915-18 war.

Santino was a lively and cheerful boy. He became an altar server very young - don Gaspare, the PP, had to help him to move the missal over for the Gospel (as was done in those days).

After primary school, he entered the first secondary year in the school run by the curate, who noted the makings of a future priest in him.

Missionary vocation

But a missionary bishop passed through right at that time: Bp. Stoppani. He spoke to the boys and filled them with enthusiasm for Africa and those who were waiting for the Word of the Lord to be taken to them. Santino, always generous and spontaneous, said straight away that he could hear the voice of Jesus saying:  His sister remarks that his parents and the rest of the family were overjoyed, and prayed every day that he would not change his mind. The seminary fees were set at 400 lire a year: a pittance, it would seem, but a big sacrifice for the Locatelli parents.

So at the age of 12, on 11th September 1935, Santino entered the Scuola Apostolica of Padova. His character was still the same, and he was scolded now and then for being too boisterous. But he loved prayer, and had a special devotion for Our Lady, having learned it from his mother. He did well in his studies, because he was both intelligent and hard-working. Don Gaspare, the PP, noted that he spent the holidays . After Padova, Santino moved on to Brescia, where he continued to mature spiritually as he grew physically.

Novice at Venegono

Santino entered the Novitiate at Venegono on 6th August 1940. The Novice Master was Fr. Antonio Todesco. They were hard times, with the war getting into full swing and making things worse. Lots of work, lots of prayer, lots of sacrifices, and sometimes not enough to eat. Some of the novices became ill, but Locatelli's strong constitution stood him in good stead, though he did complain of pain in his knees because of the Winter cold and damp - or maybe, as the doctor said, because of all the kicks he had received playing football in his inimitable style at Brescia.

As we have said, Santino was very lively and spontaneous. These characteristics, though positive, could lead to superficiality and thoughtlessness. He was sometimes rough towards his companions and in his behaviour... He had the makings of a good frontiersman in the missions, of the type - as he indeed was in Southern Sudan - to hang on to the donkey's tail and be pulled along when he was too tired to walk any more, but needed to get to where a sick person waited.

"Strong character, rough and a bit uncouth," wrote Fr. Todesco. "He found it hard to settle at first, but soon saw what his duty was, and now works with commitment and conviction. He is very generous and self-sacrificing, ready to take the place of others in the hardest tasks. He loves his vocation and takes pleasure in prayer. Open with his superiors, he recognises his shortcomings and tries to improve. He will make a very good missionary."

With these credentials Santino, whom his fellow novices remember as one of the strongest and with the most stamina for the hard jobs - scything, carrying logs, shovelling snow - made his first Vows on 7th October 1942.

To the priesthood

He was a Scholastic at Verona for a year (1942-1943), then the city became too dangerous because of the bombing - and because German troops moved into the Mother House - and he went to Rebbio. He returned in 1945 to complete his Theology.

During that first year in Verona he did a nursing course in the hospital, and received a diploma as "Nurse and Medical Assistant in the Royal Italian Army". Many confreres did the same course, for two reasons: to go into the Medical Corps if called up, and because the Course - directed by Dr. Brugnoli, a great friend of the Institute - would always come in useful in Africa.

He was admitted to Holy Orders with all his qualities "intact": good will, unquestionable morals, obedient, a bit rough and noisy, a willing worker full of initiative, good piety and great spirit of sacrifice. His sincere desire to be a missionary priest and the good reports of superiors all along the line also added to the decision in favour, which was written by Fr. Capovilla. Fr. Santino was ordained in Verona on 6th June 1948 by Bishop Girolamo Cardinale.

Appointment: Gozzano

Fr. Santino was one of the first Combonis to live in the house at Gozzano, which had been bought from the Jesuits in 1947 for a Novitiate. He was appointed there on 12th July 1948 to be bursar. The first group of novices was supposed to enter in September. The house was in a sorry state, so the new bursar - luckily just the man for the job - rolled up his sleeves and attacked the house with pick, shovel and trowel.

 says Bro. Giuliani, one of the early novices at Gozzano, upkeep of the house. They were good years, because there was love. Fr. Santino liked to spend time with the Brother novices, with encouragement, advice... and being at the forefront when there was hard work to be done.»

After the brief period as superior of Fr. Egidio Ramponi, there followed Frs. Giovanni Giordani and Pietro Rossi, superiors and Novice Masters. Both noted that he was a very direct man, getting down to the point and sometimes skipping formalities.

Front-line missionary

At last the time came for Fr. Locatelli to go to Africa. And what a place: right to the front line in S. Sudan. At the end of 1953, aged 30, we find him at Mayen as assistant priest.

He found learning the language tough, but stuck to his studies with his characteristic determination, and appointed children to be his teachers. In the end, it did not take him long to manage - so he was entrusted with the parish and the schools.

Six years later he moved on to Warap, as parish priest and responsible for the schools (1960-1963), then went to do more of the same in Kwajok (1963-1964). But his missionary adventure in Sudan came to an end with the mass expulsion of the missionaries, a tremendous shock for Fr. Santino, who had come to love the land as his own.

Always content, or rather, enthusiastic

There are some accounts of this time in Sudan, written in mission diaries that were published in our Bulletin. We can gather from these sources that the Father was always full of enthusiasm for the missionary life. He was dedicated to his responsibility for the schools, even though he preferred safaris and direct ministry. He knew English quite well and Dinka perfectly, so was at ease with people. The elders looked on him as a wise man, and the youngsters were attracted by his lively character and his constant new ideas.

The diaries talk of going hunting for meat, and of the "miraculous" hauls of fish from the river, usually with the school children during the holidays. It was this close contact with them, demonstrating his deep love for the people (which they returned), that opened the hearts of the children, and then of the parents, who would end up by appreciating his Religion and ask for Baptism.

He was full of liveliness and optimism in community, though some confreres complained about his occasional "French"; and the balance was in his intense spirit of prayer and of almost extreme self-sacrifice.

He took on a lot of material work too. His time in Sudan came during a period of rapid expansion in the Mission. Buildings went up everywhere, special attention was given to schools, which were seen as the basis for the future governing classes in Sudan, as well as an indispensable element for the building up of an African Church ready to take on its own responsibilities.

He was rather strict when it came to correcting the children, though never too heavy with punishments; he saw them as a means of teaching them to mend their ways. So he never lost the esteem of the pupils: indeed, they saw him as a wise and balanced "chief".

He had Fr. Piotti and Bro. Bastianelli with him: a merry band who kept each other's spirits up. It was needed at times. Writing to Fr. Gaetano Briani in 1959, he notes: "Plenty of hunger here, and little rain. Wells dry, and the durrah is withering. But our work is progressing well, and we have a good number of catechumens. Best wishes for your Saint's day. I will remember you at Mass, and open a bottle of beer - though if it was Recioto, or even Bardolino, it would be a lot better for Fr. Santino."

The missionaries' life was full of pressures, and the burden was made worse by the lack of reinforcements from Italy, because the government, after Independence, began to tighten the screw at once, with restrictions becoming out and out persecution, up to the final mass expulsion.

Propagandist at Gordola

On his arrival in Italy, Fr. Santino was posted straight to Gordola, as superior and animator in that community of elderly and sick confreres. Since his health was still robust, he got down to going round the parishes in the area, to offer his ministry and find new friends for the Missions. He worked hard and enthusiastically, communicating his optimism to the community, even though his heart was still yearning for Africa, particularly Southern Sudan.

In 1973 it seemed the Sudanese Government would grant some permits for re-entry into Sudan, especially for Brothers and Sisters to work among leprosy sufferers. One or two priests would be allowed to go with them. Fr. Santino was told to hold himself in readiness, and his joyful acceptance of the invitation can be imagined. Unfortunately the Government slammed the door again, and the permit did not arrive. Fr. Santino began to beg the superiors to send him to some other part of Africa. Finally, his insistence brought what he wanted.

Beating a record in Kenya

After eight years in Switzerland, and a quick course in England to brush up the language, he finally set off for Kenya. It was December 1973. And here Fr. F. Colombo takes up the story:

s his Vicar General, living in Marsabit.

In Moyale he found a very difficult environment, from several points of view. Geographically, it is 850 km from Nairobi, beyond the northern desert. There is a single track to reach it, with no tarmac for over 500 km, sometimes impassable even for a Land Rover. Besides this, the stretch from Sololo to Moyale has to be covered in a military convoy, because of the many bandits who attack travellers.

Socially, the vast majority of the population in the area is Moslem, with all that is entailed for the tiny Christian community, never favoured and more often pushed aside.

As far as religion is concerned, besides the Moslem majority, many Borana still follow traditional religion; there are only about 2000 Catholics, many of whom are there because of their work; and very few of other denominations.

The people live mainly by trading or keeping animals, and the scarce, irregular rains affect their lives greatly. Trade is almost exclusively in the hands of the Moslems.

Fr. Santino was able to survive in those surroundings with optimism for 10 years, trying various initiatives, and lasting longer than any other missionary. He would do the rounds, visiting every Catholic family, and managed to make many friends among the Moslems, too.»

Father of the Borana

Fr. Colombo continues: Boisterous and friendly, he loved free conversations where he could say what he had in mind spontaneously. He always created an atmosphere of friendliness and good humour wherever he went. He was direct, and would get straight to the point - which made contact with people who were more reserved and calculating rather difficult: people had to handle him with the same openness. On occasions his manner caused misunderstandings, though his good will was never in doubt.

Despite the rough exterior, he had a gentle touch that could be surprising. He would give little gifts, or some help just when it was needed; and he never forgot a favour. Being naturally generous and optimistic, he found happiness when he was able to help someone.»

Vicar General

In 1983 the Consolata bishop of Marsabit, Ambrogio Ravasi, asked for him as Vicar General. Fr. Santino moved to the bishop's residence. It was meant to be a temporary service, but ended up by being constantly renewed at the request of the Bishop, who found in Fr. Santino a tireless and faithful friend.

Marsabit Diocese is made up of a score of parishes among a scattered and mainly nomadic population, who follow their herds of goats and camels all over the desert areas of northern Kenya. So it is one of the biggest dioceses in the country. The parishes are connected by dusty tracks. Fr. Santino drove along those tracks right to the end of his life, using a Land Rover (that often stuck in the sand) to keep contact with the various pastoral agents. Theirs was a difficult and exhausting task, fit only for maniacs, one might say - or rather, for zealous and heroic missionaries. The journeys were equally difficult. Often there was hardly any water, except for the liquid, a bit salty and more than a bit muddy, that was in the scattered wells - and a danger to liver and kidneys!

In 1993 the superiors asked the Bishop to free Fr. Santino for a period of normal rotation. In reply they received a long letter in which the esteem the bishop had for our confrere shows clearly.

I myself have always been happy with Fr. Santino. There is mutual esteem, we help one another like brothers, we get on well, even with our limitations and defects. And he has always carried out his duties generously and loyally, feeling that he is a living and involved part of both the diocese and the Comboni family.

In carrying out his duties as a religious and as Vicar General, he has always been an example to the young men. He never skipped anything, and his balance and wisdom - the fruit of his long missionary experience - have always been a great help to me. He has constantly inspired the people to trust and love their Bishop and clergy.

And so I beg you to leave him with me for a few years yet. I wish to point out that he has not asked in any way to remain. Indeed, he is willing to obey, whatever he is told to do.

In the meantime I repeat my heartfelt thanks for everything the Comboni Missionaries have done, continue to do, and certainly will do for the evangelization, human development and growth of our young and still very fragile local Church of Marsabit.»

As mentioned, Fr. Locatelli followed the activities of his confreres closely. He attended all meetings and even served as Provincial Councillor for several years.

The Lord is calling

In 1994 the Lord began to prepare Fr. Santino for their encounter. His robust health began to show some cracks. Though not reducing his intense activity, he began to complain that his health was not what it used to be. He tried to carry on regardless, but things were taking a turn for the worse.

After completing a tour of the Diocese for the usual visitations, he had to go into hospital at Wamba for a hernia operation. Then he had a violent attack of malaria with renal colic; this brought him to death's door, and must have strained his heart considerably. He returned to Italy for rest and recuperation, but death came suddenly, just after Mass on a Sunday, in his birthplace.

 His spirit is with us, with his Congregation and with his mission in Marsabit, about which he always spoke with such enthusiasm. We miss him a lot, but he will be sure to look after us from Heaven. This makes his death a little less painful: it was such a tremendous shock!»

A traditional and consistent missionary, with no doubts about the worth and the necessity of missionary activity, even though he worked in an area that produced rather scarce fruit. He has left us an example of a missionary life lived fully and optimistically, in the joy he found in his vocation, and with the tenacity that came from his character. May he transmit some of his spirit to us from Heaven, and continue to intercede for his nomadic shepherds in Kenya. (Fr. Lorenzo Gaiga, mccj)