In Pace Christi

First his father, then his brother Giovanni, then Fr. Bruno: three great bereavements that shook the Serale family. The response of their strong faith was an expression of deep sorrow and resignation: "Indeed, Lord, we do not know what you want of us! We only ask you to help us to say: ." This was at the Mass for Fr. Bruno in the parish church. Later Caterina, his mother, wrote to his confreres and friends to share both grief and belief.

"It was a very hard blow for all the family, and also, we think, for all those that loved him or were his friends. It is only in prayer that we find the strength to accept God's will; so we ask you all to pray with us, to get through this most painful trial. We ask your prayers for him, too: may he find, through the Father's mercy, that full joy and peace that his heart desired. United more than ever in the love of Christ, and in the name of Fr. Bruno, we send our best wishes and our thanks for loving him and continuing to do so."

On Friday, 24 October, after a normal day of activity, Caterina Serale suffered a cerebral haemorrhage, and died seven hours later in hospital. She was an outstanding Catholic and missionary mother, proud of her son out in Africa as a priest. She prayed the Breviary each day so as to feel in tune with him, went to daily Mass, seemed to be always saying the Rosary. It would appear that, with the death of Bruno her own special mission came to an end, and the Lord called her to her reward.

A hard-working family

Giovanni Battista and Caterina (Dutto) were born on the land, and worked on the land all their lives. After their marriage they lived with Giovanni's father at Cuneo, moving to a house of their own at Centallo when Bruno was just a year old. He had been born on Ash Wednesday, 27 February, in a Leap Year. He was two years younger than the first-born, Giovanni. In 1953 a sister, Mariangela was born. Then in 1958 there was the birth of twins, who died shortly afterwards. Bruno was already in the seminary when Rosalba came along in 1965.

At Centallo they lived in the farmhouse of the Barbero family; Giovanni was their gardener. The family rented land which they developed into a good orchard, but they also raised some animals. Life was poor but dignified, as in so many other families of the time.

The father, Giovanni, died in 1968, killed by insecticide sprays. He was 45 (the same as Bruno...), and little was known about the dangers from substances used to keep down parasites and weeds. His death affected the sensitive Bruno very deeply, though it also tempered him: he learned to handle other sacrifices that life asked of him.

Faith and life

Faith - simple, but real - and life were one for the Serale family. Bruno himself told how the boys were encouraged to go to Mass in the mornings and Benediction in the evenings, despite the work that had to be done. His mother used to say that at one time she thought of entering the convent: when her son was ordained, she felt that she had at last understood her true vocation as wife and mother: "God needed a missionary more than a nun!"

Giovanni, despite all the work he had, never missed his religious duties, and was active in the parish sodalities. And there were two other vocations in the family besides Bruno: a paternal great-aunt and a maternal aunt were both nuns.

Bruno often recalled, in letters or homilies, that he had been an altar-server at a very early age. Off to church on his bicycle very early each morning, and late into school (he had a special permission for that!). On Sundays, if no other boys were there, he would serve all the Masses (9.00, 10.00, 11.00), and in those days he would be fasting from midnight, as the rule demanded. He would never take food, even if it was pressed on him, till lunch time.

His favourite playmate was his brother Giovanni, though Bruno often mentioned that there was not much time to play, with school and the work in the fields.

Bruno - he said it himself - was also quite shy, even though he tried hard to mix with others. This timidity accompanied him all his life, particularly in the seminary.

Missionary vocation

Bruno's vocation started with a visit to the parish by a Comboni Missionary from nearby Barolo. He showed slides on the missions in Sudan, and gave a talk. Bruno, who had leanings towards the priesthood, was filled with enthusiasm for Africa, for the souls to be saved by making them get to know Jesus.

And Bruno began his secondary schooling right at Barolo, showing at once that he was above average in intelligence, a very pious lad who was extraordinarily good: a peacemaker among his companions. Fr. Eugenio Petrogalli was an educator at Barolo in those days, and recalls: "I never saw him quarrel with another lad; he would give in rather than assert his own opinion. If someone got a poor mark in school, or became homesick, Bruno would try to comfort and encourage him. We formators saw in him a warm-hearted, straightforward and committed missionary. We used to smile and say that, like Jesus, he was growing in wisdom, age and grace."

The parish priest, who had guided several young people towards the priesthood and the religious life, used to joke that, when he had invited the missionary to the parish he had deprived the diocese of a good priest!

His mother was overjoyed at her son's vocation; she would always be proud to be "the mother of a priest - a missionary priest". Nobody in the family can recall how his father reacted. But in a letter, Bruno himself recalled that, as he lay dying, Giovanni had said: "If Bruno wants to carry on and become a priest, make any sacrifice, but let him continue!"

After Barolo (1963-66) Bruno went on to upper school at Brescia (1966-69). Here he had to repeat a year, because the shock of the death of his father showed itself most in his school work. But he passed his public exams (O-levels) at the Dante Alighieri College in Crema, and remained in that city for his college studies (1969-73). From there he went on to Florence for a year of Philosophy.

Novice at Venegono

From 1974 to 1976 Bruno did his Novitiate at Venegono. The Novice Master saw in him a young man who wanted to live in community, and had to hold himself in check so as not to impose his opinions on others. He took a keen interest in Church and world events, analysing current events with good critical sense, especially from the aspect of salvation history. He enjoyed classical music and art. He was convinced of the importance of a life based on faith and of prayer, in order to develop into an effective missionary.

He studied the Writings of the Founder eagerly, and read missionary magazines with great interest. In the novitiate he worked to overcome his natural timidity, and so became a valid member of the community, with a good sense of identity.

Naturally, there were moments of uncertainty, but he never had any doubts about his vocation. His fellow novices liked his company, because he was good, kind and gentle.

At the same time, Bruno's own assessment was somewhat different from that of the Novice Master: "I feel closed in myself, pessimistic, lacking in practical sense, too passive in community, a conformist... I have to travel a long way before I become how the Lord wants me!"

During the Novitiate he had a period of experience in London, and studied English. Later he learned German, and in South Africa spoke Pedi and Tsonga; he had a really good head for languages.

In the formula of his First Vows on 5 June 1976, there are some striking concepts: "I vow Poverty, which means not simply a lack of goods, but rather to choose the situation of the poor, and struggle with them for a better future. I vow Chastity, which does not mean keeping my distance from the other half of humanity, but helping it to achieve full dignity and freedom. I vow Obedience, not as a way of unloading life's responsibilities onto someone else, but as a recognition that we are not the absolute masters of our lives..."

Scholastic at Innsbruck

From 1976 to 1980 he was in our Scholasticate at Innsbruck. Here he developed relationships that would help him in his missionary life, and obtained an STL (Licence in Theology). At Innsbruck he lived and studied with young Germans who were preparing for the missionary life as "M" Combonis: reunion was to take place in 1979. With them Bruno, and others, experienced this reunion in advance and in practice.

The scholasticate, which was run by the students, helped Bruno to learn about financial management in a direct way. But he was already quite thrifty, by character and background! And the formators noticed that he adapted well, and was able to learn new values from the contact with different cultures.

In 1979 the "Reunification" Chapter took place. Bruno was elected as "observer" for the scholastics at that historical assembly - remembering, too, that a Chapter is always important in its own right. Since Bruno was elected by companions in different parts of Europe, it shows he already had a good reputation.

Priest and Missionary

On 19 March 1980 he was ordained Deacon, and in July he went home to Centallo, to be ordained priest, on the 20th, by Bishop Severino Poletto of Fossano.

On 15 August he was back in London to brush up his English and make final preparations to go to the Missions. He wrote to thank the Superior General for having been assigned to South Africa: "I am dreaming of going to Africa; so far I have travelled there only by running my finger across an atlas." After a year he went to Centallo, and received his missionary crucifix and mandate from the PP, don Barbero (6 September 1981), and then set out for his destination: Glen Cowie, a parish in N.E. South Africa, on the border with Mozambique.

He arrived in October, and wrote back to the Parish Priest: "Each day I thank the Lord for this grace, for having granted the dream that has gripped me for so many years. I am content, and do not have a moment's regret about the decision I have taken."

But he had hardly begun to settle in when tragic news came from home. His brother Giovanni had been electrocuted while moving a metal ladder, which touched an overhead cable. He was just over 30, and it was 20 November 1981. Bruno felt all the pain of being a long way from home, unable to share the grief with his mother and sisters and to console them by his presence.

After four years at Glen Cowie (1981-85), Bruno summed up the experience: "Glen Cowie, my first love. Here I have worked in the homeland of the Bapedi. Even though new beginnings are difficult because one has to learn the language and the customs of the people, I have had great and intense satisfaction in my pastoral work. The people have taken to me, and listen to the Word of God with interest. And I have also grown in experience."

He had a short leave in Italy, then returned to South Africa, where he was appointed to Acornhoek. He wrote about this experience too: "These have been the best years of my life. Acornhoek is a big parish, with two languages and almost half a million inhabitants, of which only 2-3 percent are Catholics. There are many Christians of other sects. So the parish is an area of First Evangelization.

Although Bruno was not a natural "builder", he did have a few chapels built in that vast area. "To build a chapel, I first wait until the people are willing to help themselves, otherwise the walls would have no meaning. What I mean is that, first of all, I want to build the church within them, and then add the one made of bricks."

Among refugees from Mozambique

During his time there, the mission filled with Mozambican refugees. About 30,000 desperate, displaced and destitute fugitives, often sick as well. Fr. Bruno did all he could for them, first of all learning to communicate in their language, and then by coordinating the aid he begged for from all over the world.

During this difficult time of intense work, he developed a terrible back-ache that sometimes immobilised him. But he was still able to write: "What I thank the Lord for most is that I am a missionary. I have never thought for a single instant that I may have taken the wrong road."

After three years, and quite worn out, Fr. Bruno was transferred to the mission of Bronckhorstspruit, where his gifts and his ability to pick up languages would be put to good use in the service of the Gospel message.

Fr. Manuel Casillas writes: "I met Fr. Bruno when I arrived in South Africa in 1982. He started me off in the study of Pedi. I and Fr. Carranza, who had arrived with me, were lucky to have such a good teacher. We spent six months entirely dedicated to learning this Bantu language, and we got to know Fr. Bruno close to. He took my place in Acornhoek, and then in the Provincial Council when I was moved back to Mexico in 1986. As PP of Acornhoek he had also served the nearby parish of Waterval, where there were many refugees from the warfare and persecution in Mozambique. The Father worked as hard as he could to try to ease the sufferings and needs of those poor people.

Fr. Bruno was intelligent, frank in saying what he thought, enthusiastic about his missionary vocation, and with a great desire to serve the people in the area of South Africa that the Lord had entrusted to him.

For me he was a friend and a brother. I thank the Lord for having known and worked with him. He taught me a lot, more by his life and example than by his words. He was simple and direct, completely dedicated to others, even though this cost him a lot at times."

Fr. Bruno had just settled in at Bronkhorstspruit, when all dreams were shattered.

Formator at Innsbruck

The Superior General asked him to be formator of our scholastics at Innsbruck, in Austria. Bruno quivered, but obeyed. He stayed at Innsbruck from 1989 to 1994. It was a demanding task to be formator of a lot of young men with minds of their own. The act of obedience was not easy for one who often kept quiet for the sake of peace.

"Don't forget me in Europe, because my place is in the missions... I often find myself day-dreaming about the Africa I left behind. I feel out of place in this post. I am unfit and unable, but above all, untrained to form others."

But it was only after four years, followed by a course in Psychology in London, that he found himself on the way back to Africa. He spent Christmas 1994 with his family, and seemed to be looking into the future with some of the things he said to his relatives: "Who knows when I will have another Christmas at home... My place is in Africa... If anything should happen to me, you must let them bury me there, among my people..."

Joyful return

He travelled to Africa towards the end of January 1995, and was assigned to Burgersfort, where he arrived on 13 April. It was a real "home-coming", since it was next door to Acornhoek. "You can be envious of me," he wrote, "because I am back where I have always wanted to be.

After a few months he described his work in a letter home: the 24 chapels to visit regularly, the Parish Newsletter he intended to start, the liturgy, the attendance that needed improvement, all the work he shared with Fr. Raffaele and Fr. Gunther.

In March 1996 he came up to Rome to attend the Beatification of the Founder as a delegate of the missionaries of the Province. He paid a flying visit home to see his mother, and hurried back. For one thing, he still had severe back pain, and if it had caught him in Italy they might not have allowed him to leave... But he was able to write that his back had improved a lot (he had asked Comboni to intercede for him...), and that the Bishop had decided to provide him with a more comfortable vehicle for all his pastoral movements over such a wide area; the pick-up was too rough on him.

Great events

On 17 September 1996 the Pope arrived in South Africa, and Bruno wrote: "The visit has been a great blessing for the parish, because it has brought the people together. Seeing a crowd of 300,000 Catholics, when they are more used to groups of 50 or 100, has been an unforgettable and encouraging experience."

The visit of the Vicar of Christ came after no less memorable and important events. Apartheid had collapsed and was gone, Nelson Mandela had been triumphantly released from prison, De Klerk had become President, black people were coming out of the Homelands, the classification of people by the colour of their skin was abolished. "What a number of changes in these years... And I have been an eye-witness!"

Everything was turning out well... "In front of me I can see the avocado seed I put in a jar of water when I came to Africa. It sprouted roots and leaves, and now it is a big plant, giving fruit. This is the story of the local Church too, and it is my story."

In his always-youthful enthusiasm, he was full of new projects: "We are drawing up the plans for a new church, and are altering the house as well." He was looking forward to a new altar and a new organ in his church. The people were also excited at these prospects, in tune with their Pastor.

Death

Monday, 28 July 1997. With a lady collaborator and Fr. Vitus Grohe, he was driving towards the Bishop's house in Witbank, about 250 km. from the mission, when he was involved in an accident. There was a head-on collision with a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction. There were no survivors.

News of his death was given by the Superiors of the Institute to don Giovanni Aimetto, PP of Centallo. He went to inform and comfort the family. The tragedy shocked everyone: the family, the local community, the diocese of Fossano, the Comboni Institutes and the communities where Bruno had lived and worked with such a lively missionary spirit.

At 10.00 on Saturday 2 August, simultaneously with the funeral being held in Maria Trost, a Requiem Mass was celebrated in Centallo, with an enormous participation of clergy and faithful. There were 26 diocesan and missionary priests, the Bishop of Fossano and the MCCJ Provincial. Fr. Bruno meanwhile was buried in his beloved South Africa, as he had wished.

Bruno died at 45, with the beloved African Church in his heart. May he, along with his parents and relatives, intercede from heaven for this Church, so that it may bring to reality the prophetic dream of Blessed Comboni: Save Africa with Africa.

Da Mccj Bulletin n. 198, gennaio 1998, pp. 105-113