Opening of the Diocesan Phase of the Beatification Cause of Father Alberto Ferri

The celebration was presided over by the Archbishop of Portoviejo, Mons. Eduardo José Castillo Pino, who introduced the postulator of the cause and the members of the diocesan tribunal responsible for collecting testimonies about Father Ferri and examining the heroic nature of his virtues. In his speech, Mons. Castillo recalled the missionary’s reputation for holiness and emphasised the spiritual and pastoral value of this step for the Church and the Comboni family.

The opening of the cause represents the culmination of a long path of preparation, the result of years of research, collection of testimonies, and documentation of significant events in the life of the Servant of God, together with the examination of “graces received” attributed to his intercession.

Father Ferri was born in Cologno al Serio (Bergamo, Italy) on 5^th September 1935. Following his missionary vocation, he joined the Comboni Congregation and was ordained a priest on 18^th March 1961. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Ecuador, where he would spend almost his entire life serving local communities. He initially worked in the parishes of Limones and Viche, in the Apostolic Vicariate of Esmeraldas, and later devoted himself to the communities of Honorato Vásquez, El Carmen, and La Catorce, in the province of Manabí.

His life was entirely dedicated to the formation of Christian communities and the promotion of lay ministries, with the aim of strengthening the faith of the people. He visited hundreds of villages and families, traveling by every possible means – by car, on foot, on horseback, or by canoe – always with tireless energy. When he arrived in a village, his first concern was to meet the families, gather the community in the chapel, teach catechesis, hear confessions, and celebrate Mass, sometimes late into the evening, without resting before completing his daily prayers.

Father Ferri was a demanding man, both with himself and with others. His deep faith and passionate love for people left an indelible mark: many still remember him today as a man of holiness.

After a long illness caused by pancreatic cancer, he died in Italy, in his hometown, on 16^th October 2009. However, according to his wish and at the request of the local population, his remains were transferred to Ecuador and buried in the parish church of Honorato Vásquez – where he had served for many years – at the feet of the image of the Virgin of the Angels, to whom he had always shown great devotion.

Father Alberto lived his mission with a zeal he knew how to share with others, leaving a legacy of faith and dedication to all who had the good fortune to know him and place their trust in him.

[See necrology]

Father Ottorino Poletto, MCCJ