Posted on 07/21/2011 8:30:27 AM PDT by NYer
RUMBEK,South Sudan,JULY 18,2011 (Zenit.org).- Just one week after welcoming the independence of South Sudan where he had been a missionary for three decades,Bishop Cesare Mazzolari of Rumbek died Saturday while celebrating Mass.
The 74-year-old Italian Comboni missionary had been working in South Sudan since 1981,enduring the nation’s 1983-2005 civil war.
On July 9,he presided over the official opening prayer during the Independence Day celebration at Freedom Square in Rumbek,which made South Sudan the newest nation of Africa.
“A week later,”a communiqué from the diocese announced, “God called home his faithful servant during Eucharist,at the moment of consecration. Surely,it was a privilege from God for Bishop Cesare Mazzolari to die in the presence of Jesus during the Eucharist,in his own cathedral and among his priests,religious and faithful.”
The faithful of the diocese expressed “deep and heartfelt appreciation of his dedicated service and lifelong faithful witness to the Gospel among the people of South Sudan.”
Cesare Mazzolari was ordained a priest in 1962 in San Diego,California. He worked with black and Hispanic miners for 19 years before being transferred to the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio,South Sudan,at age 44.
He would eventually serve as Comboni Provincial of Southern Sudan for six years. In 1990,he was appointed apostolic administrator of the war-torn Diocese of Rumbek.
According to the diocesan statement,“he zealously set to work,re-opening missions and negotiating humanitarian assistance and the freedom of very young slaves.”
He was consecrated bishop in 1999. The diocese stated:“He took to heart the mandate given to him on that day by the Holy Father,John Paul II,namely,to relieve ‘a people who have suffered too much for too long’from ‘the anguish of an unjust war’and ‘to help them to restore the dignity of their human rights.’
“And indeed,his years as bishop of Rumbek reflect his faithfulness to this extraordinary and challenging mission.”
The bishop established schools and coordinated health care services,seeking donations from around the world. He made reconciliation a priority and was “always optimistic and courageous in the face of often apparently insurmountable obstacles.”
The faithful recalled that “evangelization was at the heart of his ministry,which was nourished by his commitment to a deep life of prayer. Like St. Paul,Bishop Mazzolari spent his life at the service of the Gospel,always assuring us that God was journeying with the people of South Sudan.”
“Over the years,”the communiqué said,“we have been inspired by his dreams for the people of South Sudan,his pastoral initiatives,his extraordinary administrative ability,his competence in leadership,his energy for fundraising and development,his simple lifestyle and humility,his tenacity and patience and his unwavering dedication to and confidence in God. …We are indeed privileged to have known him.”
God rest his soul.
Prayers for him. I will say this: he died surrounded by people and in the presence of Our Lord. A beautiful ending to a man’s life who served God. Just a thought.
The bell always startles me.
I would imagine, if the Father had the time, that he would have been grateful that God had seen fit to let him see his work completed - a rare and precious gift as many people never see the fruits of their labor in Christ!
Mel
RIP.
God rest his soul. >>
Amen! I think I saw him on the ewtn show “where God weeps”..
God bless this good bishop may he RIP and God bless South Sudan, glad to see they are starting off their country on the right foot with faith in God, even their national anthem and draft constitution includes such.
I’m coming home?
Rest in Peace among the angels.
Asleep in Jesus, oh, how sweet
The scene of closing day,
Where holy angels come to greet,
And bear the soul away!
Refrain:
The angels bore our loved one home
In shining garments fair;
And some bright day we hope to come
And join thee over there.
With grace divine and perfect love
Thy pilgrim days were blest,
But sweeter far thy joys above,
And more serene thy rest.
Thy prayers and tears have gone before,
Thy works shall follow on,
And gather gems forevermore,
To glitter in thy crown.
May we who knew and loved thee here
With angels bright ascend,
Thy blessed heav’nly rest to share,
When mortal life shall end.
That’s lovely. Is it a hymn? It reads like one that could be sung in a shape note manner.
What “last thoughts?”
Yes! I forgot to put connection.
I just found it. Daniel S. Warner 1911. Gospel Tracts book. Lyrics. So beautiful. Amen!!!
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