In Pace Christi

He was born in Venegono Inferiore (Milan) on 17 October 1950, and at the age of 24, he took first vows on 4 May 1974, in Venegono and went to join the scholasticate in Kampala where he stayed until his ordination on 10 June 1978.

After his ordination, he was assigned to Sudan but first spent a few years at Zahle, in Lebanon, studying Arabic. In 1981, he went to Sudan where he was based first at Wad Medani and then at Kosti, until 1987, when he was appointed rector of the Khartoum Diocesan Seminary until 1997. Many priests and bishops passed through the seminary; among these are the Archbishop of Khartoum Michael Didi and the Bishop of Kosti, Tombe Trille, of whom Fr. Celestino spoke with great esteem and appreciation.

From 1997 to 1999 he was in Padua for missionary animation; he then returned to Sudan as a teacher, pastoral coordinator in the diocese of Khartoum ad also secretary of the Sudanese Episcopal Conference.

At one point, he was asked to become a bishop in South Sudan but Fr. Celestino declined.

In January 2009, he returned to Padua and worked there as formator of postulants until 2018 when he expressed his desire to return to Sudan and he was again assigned to that Province. However, his stay was brief, due to illness and he had to return to Italy. On 1 November 2018, he was assigned to the community of the Curia as superior, where he remained until the end.

Fr. Celestino was a happy sort of person and always smiling: this was his chief characteristic. His smile brought peace and serenity. His was a friendly presence that inspired confidence and showed the joy of life! He created a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere in our community. He spoke to everyone, came to visit us in our rooms, showing concern and care for each of us. The door of his room was always open.

Personally speaking, he was a friend and collaborator, always willing to help and to lend a hand in difficult times. He was a person who put others at their ease.

He was always welcoming towards people from outside ad would say to the confreres: “There is always room in our house!”

A second characteristic I wish to speak of is that he had the mission at heart. Of Sudan he would say: It is the mission of the Heart (referring to the book by Fr. Vantini who spent his whole life in Sudan). He spoke with great esteem of his companions in the mission, whether still alive or deceased.

He never complained in his sickness. We knew he was not always well. He endured the therapy with great patience, sometimes with a degree of stoicism and always with strength of soul. At his funeral, Fr. Torquato addressed to him an extended reflection from which we have taken these few lines: “I want to tell you that you have been a wonderful gift of God, a sign of His love for me and many others. I must also tell you that you have been a marvellous example. Your love for the mission and our Comboni family, your ability to listen when I shared with you my experience as a missionary in Uganda and as a priest here in Rome and to make me feel understood in my difficulties, your ability to welcome others, listening and always excusing everyone has been a precious lesson in how to live, unforgettable. How can I ever forget your ever-smiling eyes, your room door that was always open and welcoming, those last mornings when, at five o’clock you would ask me to bring you the “mocaccino” you enjoyed so much, or when you showed me the photos of your beloved Dolomites and your dreams of pleasant walks in the mountains?”.
(Fr. Jeremias dos Santos Martins, mccj)