Adieu Padre – My Last Walk with Fr Giuliano Melotto CSS Timeline & Pictures

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Read the full article by Dan Marokane

The following is my diary of my trip, and the funeral of  Fr Giuliano Melotto CSS in Verona:

Sunday 17/09/2023: We are in Venice. En route to Verona by train. We will meet with our host, Stigmatine Father Gianni Picollboni CSS for dinner in Verona. Fr Gianni, or Fr Jannie as everybody pronounced his name, spent many years in the same Stigmatine Fathers community with Fr Giuliano in various Southern African countries, including South Africa, Botswana and Tanzania.  During the dinner, we will discuss and plan for the funeral tomorrow.

My partner and I on a brief sightseeing tour of Verona with Fr Gianni Picollboni CSS

Monday 18/09/2023: The funeral service took place at 10:00am in the town of Tricesimo, on the northern outskirts of Gemona del Fruili, near Udine city, at the Sancturia della Madonna Missionari.

The Requiem Mass service in the Church of the Sancturia della Madonna Missionari in the town of Tricesimo.
The Funeral Programme
the Requiem Mass service in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in Verona.
Chatting to a lady and fellow mourner at the Requiem Mass in Verona.
A chat with Fr Simone about his fond memories of his visit to South Africa, and the Brits/Mmakau parishes.

Tuesday 19/09/2023: We are spending the day with Fr Gianni Picollboni CSS. We are doing another sight-seeing tour of Verona, retracing the history of the Stigmatine Fathers.

Sightseeing in Verona with Fr Gianni Picollboni CSS.
Inside the St Gaspar Bertoni Chapel in Verona. He was the founder of the Stigmatine Fathers congregation.
My partner and I at the tomb of St Gaspar Bertoni.
Standing outside the Basilica of St Zeno in Verona. My home parish, the St Zeno Church in Letlhabile township, north of Brits is a replica of the Basilica. St Zeno was the eighth bishop of Verona. His origins were in North Africa.
The tomb of St Zeno.
Standing outside of the primary and high school operated by the Stigmatine Fathers in Verona.
Standing with Fr Gianni outside the theatre operated by the Stigmatine Fathers in Verona.
Having our last lunch at the retreat house located within a winery operated by the Stigmatine Fathers, just outside of Verona. In the blue cheque shirt is Fr Stephen Senaldi CSS, a priest who was once a missionary in South Africa.
Moments after our last meal with Fr Gianni and the chef at the at the Stigmatine Fathers retreat house just outside of Verona.

Wednesday 20/09/2023: We are saying goodbye to Verona this morning.

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