SERVANT OF GOD FRANCIS CONVERTINI
(1898-1976)
The Diocesan Inquest opened on 12 December 1997 and concluded on 20 June 2005
Childhood and youth during war
years
Francis Convertini was born in Marinelli close to
Cisternino, in the province of Brindisi, on the 29th August 1898. His family
was very poor, and from his earliest years he was forced to go to work. As soon
as he turned 18 he was called to arms to fight in the First World War. He was
captured by the Austrians and sent to a concentration camp. He was freed only
at the end of the war. After recovering from meningitis,, he decided to join
the Guardia di Finanza.
Confession in Turin at the
Basilica of MHC led him to the Salesians
He followed the Captain, whose aide he was, to
Turin and, devoted to Mary, went to confession in the Basilica of Mary Help of
Christians. Providence saw that his confessor was Fr Angelo Amadei, the second
great biographer of Don Bosco. Fr Angelo became his spiritual director.
Accepts invitation to be
missionary in India
After
inviting him to attend the handing over of the missionary cross to eleven
missionaries leaving for India he said to him: “Why don’t you also become a
missionary?”. Francis took on studies with much effort at the Salesian
missionary institute in Ivrea and, after receiving his mission cross from Don
Rinaldi, on the 7th December 1927 he embarked for India.
Learned how to be a holy
missionary close to the people
He was formed
by holy Salesians. He did his novitiate at Shillong with Fr Ferrando and was a
disciple of Fr Costantino Vendrame. Francis learned of Don Bosco’s life from Fr
Amadei and in India learned how to incarnate his apostolic missionary spirit.
He felt close to the people with Fr Vendrame: they covered many miles visiting
villages, going into homes to talk about Jesus. He finished his philosophy and
theology with some difficulty. And was ordained priest in 1935. The new bishop,
bishop. Ferrando sent him to the Salesian mission in Krishnagar.
Widely appreciated and loved
Even if
he never got know the Behali language so well, nobody in Krishnagar had as many
friends as he did, or as many spiritual children amongst the ignorant and the
wise, the rich and the poor. He was one of the few missionaries who was able to
enter a Hindu home and get further than the entrance.
He was
constantly on the go between village and village. Fr Francis was good, and his
Salesian loving-kindness opened the people’s hearts; he knew how to be a
Father, brother and friend. He gave himself to everyone without distinction:
Muslim, Hindu, Christian..., and was loved and venerated by everyone as a
master of the interior life, who abundantly possessed the "sapientia
cordis".
Apostle of Mary Help of
Christians
Already
in life he was known for his holiness, not only because of his heroic
self-giving for souls, but also for the mysterious events told about him. He
was an apostle of Mary Help of Christians.
He died
on the 11th February 1976 murmuring: "Mother Mary, I never displeased you
during my life. Now help me!". His body was laid out in the cathedral, and
there was a constant crowd of people of every race and religion. Now he lies in
the garden adjacent to the Cathedral of Krishnagar.
