In Pace Christi

Leopoldo was just 13 when, on a sad day in 1962, his father was carried to the cemetery, struck down by the same malady that would cause his own death 33 years later.

His mother, Maria Belluco, a primary school teacher and a woman of great faith, bowed before this cross and set to bringing up her three children as their father Mario would have done, making every effort to ensure that they lacked nothing, even intellectually. Bianca Maria became an accountant, Franco obtained a Law degree and Leopoldo, after middle school and a childhood that had revolved around his home and the parish, took up studies at the Institute of Ceramic Art at Nove di Bassano.

He was finishing his third year when he met a missionary from Thiene, and the missionary ideal seemed much more attractive than that of decorating, pleasant as that was.

"Leopoldo was always drawn towards the priesthood," says his mother. "He was a very dedicated altar boy for years. Sometimes I found him imitating the gestures of the priest at Mass. He attended the Patronato regularly, and was a member of Catholic Action. He was always a bit timid and full of regard for his friends, ready to forgive and make up."

Adult vocation

"When he told me he wanted to be a missionary," his mother continues, "I told him he would have to go to a different kind of school and that, quite honestly, I would be sad to lose him and to know that one day he would go somewhere far off; but that if it were the will of the Lord - once he was sure that his desire was truly the Lord's will - I would not have objected.

"He went to Angolo Terme, where the Combonis had a house, for a trial month, and then entered Crema where there was a seminary for so-called "late vocations", even though he was still little more than a boy."

At Crema he attended the State Teachers' Institute "G. Albergoni", obtaining a diploma as a primary school teacher. From the year reports of 1967 and 1969 among his papers, his future as assistant Novice Master shows clearly: just above average in subjects like Latin, Italian, Physics and Mathematics, but much better in Philosophy, Psychology and Pedagogy.

Novice at Venegono

After the postulancy at Florence, Leopoldo went on to the Novitiate at Venegono, on 10 September 1973. The reports of the Novice Masters - then called animators - Fr. Giovanni Ferracin and Fr. Fausto Beretta, are good.

"He has grasped the evangelical meaning of the missionary vocation and sees it as a need to communicate and witness to what God has worked in him, to the poorest of the poor. He is dedicated in activities of apostolate and missionary animation. He feels at home with the Comboni Missionaries: he has a clear concept of community life. He is able to communicate what he is living with simplicity, and has become more spontaneous with others; at the beginning he was rather awkward.

"He is well-liked by his companions, is able to make allowances, and readily serves the community.

"He knows his limitations, without dramatising. There is still a basic shyness that sometimes prevents him from expressing himself freely. He has a good critical sense in evaluating things and situations.

"He has made good progress in his life of faith: he puts his trust in God in times of difficulty and suffering. From an anxiety to do things for God he has progressed to allowing God to work. This will help him to overcome his fears, and make him increasingly independent of the judgement of others".

Period in London

In his second year, during the period of experience outside the Novitiate, he went to London, and attended the Victoria School of English for a short course.

He made his first Profession in Venegono on 17 May 1975, in the hands of the Provincial, Fr. Ernesto Malugani. The formula ends: "Lord Jesus, you have called me to proclaim the Good News to every creature. Be my guide and my strength. Virgin Mary, intercede for me."

After this he went back to England to continue his study of the language, but only for a few months.

Scholastic in Rome

At the beginning of September 1975, Leopoldo was in Rome, a member of the International Scholasticate, about to attend the Gregorian University. Here he obtained a bachelor degree "magna cum laude" in Theology.

When the time came for ordination to the Diaconate he had not yet made his Perpetual Vows, and was incardinated in Frascati diocese for a while, as Propaganda Fide was not granting dispensations to bring forward Perpetual Vows.

In the formula of his final profession, when it came on 25 April 1978, he wrote: "I place myself at the disposition of the evangelising work of the Church, so that Jesus may be known as the Word of Love spoken by the Father for all humankind". This Love of God for humankind would be one of the pillars of his spirituality.

Humble confession

Before being ordained to the priesthood, Leopoldo went on retreat and examined his whole life, noting the points that seemed most significant.

In making this discernment he first enrolled his companions, asking them to tell him clearly what his failings were, so that he could correct them, and the positive aspects he could work to perfect. After reading the observations, he summed them up as follows:

"I see I have a long way to go to reach human maturity, and be able to accept myself as I am. However, I agree with those that have noted my exterior maturity, which is seen in patience before difficulties. I add that this requires constant commitment, and costs effort and close attention.

All recognise my ability in interpersonal relationships. For myself, I feel open to all, and eager to widen my circle of friends. But I have to overcome some sub-conscious attitudes which always have me on my guard."

Journey of faith

"They say I have made good progress. One point where I need to go further is in greater recognition of the mercy of God in my life story and in that of others.

The community is agreed on my spiritual growth. I feel that I have a long way to go yet, to take episodes in my personal life and in what happens around me as part of salvation history that the Lord is bringing about in me".

Community, place of freedom

"I like living in community, and I try to collaborate, putting my gifts to use within the boundaries of the opportunities offered me by the Lord. I find that I need an "open " community, where there is mutual respect and mutual support.

I am not afraid of negative judgements, as long as they are made with love. I see the community as a place where, besides the usual considerations,  we should bear witness to our inner freedom.

I think I have a sufficient sense of duty. Maybe study is more of a duty than an attraction for me; however, I realise the need for a proper grounding in theology, social matters, politics and history". His long self-examination ends thus.

As we can see, he is quite severe in his auto-criticism, though driven by the sole desire to improve. In his study of himself the marks of the psychologist can also be discerned.

Leopoldo was ordained priest in Thiene Cathedral by Bishop Girolamo Bortignon of Padova, on July 1, 1978.

Formator in Portugal

Seeing his ability with young people in Brescia, the superiors decided to sent him to Portugal as formator in the junior seminary at Famalicâo, staring in February 1982.

On 8th December 1985, in a letter to the Superior General, he wrote: "I will have been ordained eight years next July, and I am feeling the burden of not having had any mission experience. These 8 years have been marked by various experiences, some even contrasting, but all, I would say, complementary. They have left their mark, making me understand myself and my sense of vocation even better.

I admit frankly that the years in Portugal have been rather difficult for me, and have exposed my limitations. I refer to the new language and the different customs. Besides, I had a strong feeling of solitude and a longing for my family (his mother had been left alone - ed.), for Italian culture and for the pastoral work I had been doing. I realise that a missionary should not feel like this, but I did, and I did my utmost - and with some suffering - to overcome it. Forgive me for saying all this, but if I had not told you of it, I would have felt that I had fallen short of the openness with superiors that I consider so important.

However, I am fully at the disposition of the will of my superiors, because I feel quite free in my heart and in my wishes, and would not like to set limits. I renew my trustful abandonment to God's will, so that He may guide me ad that I may always taste to the full the joy of His presence. May He help me to face the challenges of my new mission".

North Brazil

In a letter of March 5 1986, Fr. Pierli, the Superior General, told him he was appointed to the mission of North Brazil.

At Balsas, he got down to decorating the church, following operations with interest and giving the workers good advice. It was the first time his original profession of painter and decorator was put to good use.

"He is a confrere with an intense spiritual life, very good with the people. He loves them and they love him in return. In community he is a cohesive element, and several confreres go to him, even though he is relatively young, to take advantage of his good advice and for spiritual direction." At Balsas he was also Vicar General.

Novice Master

In Italy a Novice Master was needed - or at least someone to start off in the exercise of this very delicate ministry.

He was appointed to the Italian Province as of July 1, and at the end of that month was starting a Course in Rome.

A year later, Fr. Leopoldo was named "Associate" of the Novice Master. On the same date, Fr. Francesco Antonini was appointed Novice Master.

Here we leave the pen to Fr. Antonini, who spent three years with him.

"I can honestly say that Fr. Leopoldo's life was a crescendo of self-offering. The high point is when one is able to say.

I spent three years in very close communion with Leopoldo. We carried the responsibility of Novice Master together: almost like two in one. We had about a score of young men in each of these years. We were aware of the trust the Institute put in our service, and thus how great the responsibility was. During the Novitiate, a young man has to take the shape of a missionary, that is, as Comboni would say, die to himself and live only for God and the most neglected souls."

Living by faith

"Leopoldo left a Gospel quotation in his room, hanging on the wall next to his bed. It is Lk.9:51: . It is about Jesus who, when the time came for him to go to Jerusalem to be immolated, did not refuse, or hesitate or take an easier route, but set his face, moving decisively towards Jerusalem.

This expression, this theme, was one of the strong points in the novitiate journey. It is required more of the Master than of the novice; he must set his face more decisively, so as not to turn back before the Jerusalem that is put before him.

I think that this last stage in Leopold's life was the period of spiritual maturity when, as the Psalm says, the soul clings to God when it lives by faith and submission, as Abraham did. It is an experience that is not very apparent, but a person lives it. It is the stage of not-belonging, that is of total belonging to God, and so of complete availability to others.

Just as the Eucharistic bread, once is allows Christ to `occupy' it, becomes `take and eat', so it is with a human being. For Leopoldo the celebration of the Eucharist was important, necessary; i don't think he ever missed, even though every Eucharist became a new demand for a new offering, a new gift."

Overall readiness

"Leopoldo was very attentive to persons," Fr. Antonini goes on, "a man of deep and faithful friendship. He created well-being, good humour; he laughed and made people laugh. Open to everyone, ready for ministry.

He was a man of ecclesial communion. In our normal disagreements over work, he never broke this communion, never criticised, never a crack. He sought not himself, but the Kingdom of God.

He leaves us at the peak of his existence, at the moment he was fully ready. There were so many hopes, so many plans based on him. The progress he had made with such increasing consistency made him quite fit for other ministries, other responsibilities.

But let us not be selfish, let us rejoice because he has reached where

Sudden Call

On the morning of 18th August 1995, all the participants in the Formators' Course organised in Palencia (Spain) were in church, waiting for the Mass to begin The main celebrant that morning was Fr. Leopoldo Conz.

He had always been early the other mornings, but that day he had not yet appeared. Towards 8:00, when Mass was to start, Fr. Cosimo De Iaco, the organiser of the Liturgy, asked Fr Tiziano Laurenti to go up and call Leopoldo. Fr Tiziano knocked, but got no answer. He opened the door, and saw Leopoldo lying in bed, his face in the pillow. He called several times, and got no answer. When he touched him, he was already cold. Tiziano hurried down to tell the others of the death of their confrere. Some hurried up to the room at once; others remained in the chapel praying, frozen by the news.

A doctor was called at once, and at 8:30 confirmed that death had taken place some hours earlier, through heart failure caused by an embolism.

Fr. Giovanni Migliorati gave Fr. Leopold the final absolution.

Fr. Agostoni, a former Superior General, presided at the Mass, in an atmosphere of family grief. The body was then taken to Thiene, where his mother lives, stopping at Venegono on the way. Leopold was truly seen as victim chosen by God as a seal on the formation work of the Comboni Missionaries.