In Pace Christi

The last time I saw Fr. Giuseppe Castelletti in Africa was at Wad Medani, in Northern Sudan. He had only recently returned from Italy (1987) and I was at Kosti, 300 km from Khartoum, on the White Nile. I had heard from confreres that he had returned to die in his beloved Africa, wanting to exercise his ministry as a priest, since before he had always worked as a math’s teacher. After Christmas 1988 I decided to go and visit him. It was supposed to be our last encounter.
I really liked him. He had been my high school prefect in Brescia from 1933 to 1935. There I had the opportunity to appreciate his musical talent. Later I thought what great heights he would have reached if he had specialised in music. He was even rather daring in this matter, to the point of modifying Perosi’s compositions.
Of his life as a chaplain in the Navy I learned many things straight from him. When talking about it, he was like a river: the words wouldn’t stop flowing. Some confreres, whenever he approached this topic, would make themselves scarce. Myself, instead, used to enjoy listening to his heroic deeds, which revealed a strong and generous character.
It was, nevertheless, when teaching that I got to know him well: in Khartoum, Asmara, Port Sudan and El Obeid. He was an excellent educator, though he only taught mathematics. Though without a degree, he taught these subjects so well and in such an interesting manner that his students always passed the Oxford exams.
He was an untiring worker. For many years at the Comboni College in Khartoum he was teaching every day six or even seven periods out of the seven scheduled, besides correcting the students’ papers (often weekly) and with classes up to 35-40 students.
Naturally, he was not without faults, but these were always made pleasant by his good humour. Like the times he was asking his superior to grant him his monthly permissions “in writing”, or when he would get out of doing something by saying that “he was not the superior” - perhaps he had once been hurt in this regard.
What can I say about his trumpet? He always carried it with him and he was good at playing it. Many confreres used to make fun of it, nevertheless, for a newcomer, it was nice to be welcomed at the sound of a trumpet.
He did not have the satisfaction of dying in Africa, which had been his wish. Rushed back to Italy near death, when he recovered he was kept in Italy. I was glad to meet him again in Gozzano. With how much love and generosity he applied himself to the ministry of the sick whom he used to visit every day: first on his own and then, as his eyesight became worse, accompanied by others. What can we say about the ministry of confession in the Shrine of the Crucifix of Boca! On Saturdays and Sundays he used to pass many hours in the confessional. When he returned home, he only took a glass of water and a piece of bread for supper and then turned in for the night.
Thank you, Fr. Joseph, for the love to the Crucifix you taught me. The song “O Crux, ave spes unica” that you taught us in Brescia still resounds in my heart. Thank for your affectionate devotion to the “Divine Immaculate Virgin”, whom you wanted to praise with divine melodies, and for teaching me to enjoy playing on the organ songs like “Children, innocent and sinful, all implore your love, o Mary.” Fr. Dino Vitalini, your favoured tenor and poet, must have welcomed you in heaven with joy. There I also hope to see you one day. (P. Antonino Orlando)