Callistus
Caravario was the priest who accompanied the Salesian Bishop Versiglia, about
the previous article of the blog talks of, on his journey when he was martyred
. He was born at Cougne, a small town in Northern Italy on 8 June 1903.
His family was not rich but hardworking and God-fearing. The family
shifted to Turin in 1908 and Callistus came into contact with the salesians. In
the Oratory he was known for his piety, study and good character.
Moreover, he was attracted by the salesian way of life. He also had the chance
of meeting the salesian missionaries. Thus he was sent to Foglizzio to do
his novitiate. On 19 September 1919 he made his religious profession and
continued philosophical studies at Valsalice.
In
1922 when he was in Italy for the General Chapter, Bishop Versiglia, then Vicar
Apostolic of Shiu Chow, spent a few days in Turin. During these days Bro.
Callistus along with his companions met the Bishop and expressed their desire
to become missionaries in China. Although the superiors did not allow him in
the beginning looking at his missionary zeal they sent him to China. And so on
10 November 1924 he reached Hong Kong. He was asked work in Shanghai and East
Timor. He learned the language and was attached to the people. On 18 may 1929,
on the eve of Pentecost, he was ordained a priest by Bishop Versiglia. On that
day he wrote the following memorable words to his mother: “Now your Callistus
is no longer yours, he must be entirely the Lord’s, wholly consecrated to his
service…. On your part, from now on, think only of praying that I may be a holy
priest, setting good example to all entirely dedicated to the cause of the
Lord.”
Soon
after his ordination he was sent to Linchow mission along with the bishop. He
began the mission with the same fervour of the mission in Timor. He learned the
language well in a short period of time and engaged himself in various
activities for the faithful and the young of the missionland. However, his
primary motive was to lead a holy life. In fact, two days before his martyrdom
he wrote to his mother, “Pray, I repeat, pray much for me that I may be a holy
priest… I know that so far you prayed that I might become a priest. Now that I
am one, pray that I may be a holy priest…”
The
holy priest was martyred along with Bishop Versiglia on their way to Tin Chue Tong Mission by the fanatic pirates.
Both the clergy fell unconscious with the strong hit by the rifle butts. They
were forced to come to the land and they did so with the help of the
catechists. Fr. Caravaio tried to negotiate, offering money but the
brigands were interested in taking their lives and abusing the women
catechists. Bishop asked the pirates to take his life and spare the young
priest but his plea fell in deaf ears. The two knelt down in deep prayer and
the women who sat down a few meters away could see that the two priests making
their confession to each other. Moments later the silence of the place was
shattered by five rifle shots.
Their
martyrdom was recognized by the church and they were proclaimed Saints on 1
October 2000. The mortal remains of St. Caravario is kept at Ho Sai in the
church of St. Joseph.
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