February 1st - Blessed Luigi Variara
(1875-1923)
Blessed Luigi Variara was born in Viarigi (Asti), Italy, on 15 January
1875
and died on 1 February 1923 in Cucuta, Colombia. He was an apostle to the
lepers in Colombia and founder of the congregation of the Daughters of the
Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary who ran the homes he set up for lepers. He
was born to Pietro Variara and Livia Bussa. When he was 12 years old he
entered the Salesian Oratory in Turin, while the founder Don Bosco of the
Salesian Congregation, was still alive. Luigi had the privilege of meeting
this living saint on one occasion, and it was an encounter that changed
his
life. John Bosco looked into the eyes of the young boy, and this gaze was
for Luigi a confirmation of his future Salesian vocation. John Bosco died
a
month later on 31 January 1888.
In 1891 he entered the novitiate and shortly afterward he made his
profession in the hands of Bl. Michael Rua, Don Bosco's first successor.
After his novitiate, Luigi did his study of philosophy at Valsalice and
there he met Fr Michele Unia, the Salesian apostle of lepers of Colombia,
who had come to speak to the community about his mission. His talk won
Luigi
over, and in 1894 he left for Colombia with Fr Unia when he returned. Here
he dedicated himself to the lepers of Agua de Dios, sharing with them his
passion for music and drama. Fr Unia died shortly thereafter, leaving
Luigi
and three other priests in charge of the leper colony. The three years
before his priestly ordination in 1898 proved to be a time of spiritual
growth and maturation for the young Luigi, who came to understand better
the
reality of sacrifice and self-giving in serving others, and in running the
risk of contagion through continual contact with lepers. After his
ordination, he exercised his duties as priest in the leper colony, and
with
responsibility for the parish, often spending four or five hours a day in
the confessional. He also continued to teach music and drama, especially
concerned for the moral health of the young people of Agua de Dios. From
the
first year of his priesthood, Luigi felt the need to open a leprosarium
for
young patients, a project that mirrored that of his predecessor, Fr Unia.
The scope of such a foundation was to educate these children in the faith,
to teach them how to read and write and skill in manual labour, so that
they
would be saved from a life of desolation and vice. In 1905 the "Michele
Unia
Youth Hostel" was opened. On 7 May 1905 he founded the Congregation of the
"Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary", in order to provide
care
for the residents of the hostel. "Our goal", he stated, "along with that
of
our own personal sanctification, is to care for the leperosy patients in
the
hostel and in serving God by offering ourselves as victims of expiation".
He
also said of the year 1905: "Never as in this year did I feel so happy to
be a Salesian and I bless the Lord for having sent me to this leper colony
where I learned how to gain heaven". As the Congregation was also founded
with the intention of offering to women lepers the possibility to
consacrate
their lives to God, Fr Variara's initiative was much criticized and
misjudged by other religious institutes and even by some of his own
brothers, who questioned whether this new Salesian "branch" was in
accordance with the charism of their founder. He had founded a community
of
"outcasts" it seemed, in the eyes of the world. Luigi, however, held
firmly
to God's will, and began to climb the Calvary of not being understood or
accepted by those who should have been closest to him. He received,
however,
the consolation and relief of knowing that he was acting out of obedience,
since Fr Michael Rua, Don Bosco's first successor stood behind him and
encouraged him to continue with the foundation. His greatest trial proved
to
be his transferral from Agua de Dios to Venezuela, a separation from his
Congregation which cast a shadow of mystery on the foundation itself and
began 18 years of misunderstandings for Luigi. He was trasferred from city
to city after leaving Agua de Dios, and in 1921 he was definitvely moved
to
Táriba. He continued, however, to keep in contact with Mother Lozano,
cofoundress of the Institute. He assured her that there was "nothing to
fear: if it is a work of God, it will last". Luigi Variara died on 1
February 1923 in Cucuta.
The Congregation is currently present in Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela,
Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Dominican Republic and Equatorial
Guinea and is dedicated in the service of the poor and the sick.
Taken from:
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/2002/do***ents/ns_lit_doc_20020414_variara_en.html
See longer version found at:
http://www.donbosco.asn.au/Bulletins/2002/dec/variara.htm
Saint Quote:
"What is sufficient for health will not satisfy pleasure"
- St. Augustine (Doctor, 354-430) - "Instructions On Christian Morality"
Bible Quotes:
"But where is wisdom to be found, ....... neither is it found in the land
of
them that live in delights" (Job 28:12-13)
"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink: but justice and peace and
joy
in the Holy Ghost " (Romans 14:17)
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Consecration of humanity to the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
O most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the Human race; behold us
prostrate most humbly before Thine altar (in Thy presence).
To Thee we belong; Thine we wish to be; and that we may be
united to Thee more closely, we dedicate ourselves each one
of us today to Thy most Sacred Heart.
Many have never known Thee; many, despising Thy
commands, have rejected Thee. Have mercy on them all,
most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Thy sacred Heart.
Be Thee King, O Lord, not only over the faithful who never
have gone away from Thee, but also over the prodigal
children who have forsaken Thee; and make them return
quickly to their Father's house, lest they perish of misery and
hunger. Be Thou King of those who have been misled by
error, or separated by schism; and call them back to the haven
of truth and the unity of faith, so that there may soon be one
fold and one Shepherd. Grant to Thy Church, O Lord,
assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace
and order to all nations, and grant that, over the whole earth,
from pole to pole, may resound the words:
Praise to the Divine Heart, through which was brought to us salvation;
glory
and honor be to It forever. Amen...
O Heart of love. I put all my trust in You; for I fear all things from my
own weakness, but I hope for all things from Your goodness.
Most sweet Heart of Jesus, grant that peace, the fruit of justice and
charity, may reign throughout the world.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, protect our families.
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