Chileans remember priest murdered by member of Satanic cult

Santiago, Chile, Jul 24, 2005 / 22:00 pm

One year after his death, members of the Servants of Mary celebrated a special memorial Mass for Father Faustino Gazziero De Stefani, who was murdered in the sacristy of the Cathedral by a 24 year-old member of a Satanic cult. 

The Mass was held this Sunday and was celebrated by Father Bernardino Savilla, Provincial of the Servants of Mary religious order.

“One year after his martyrdom, we desire to turn our eyes to the Lord and thank Him for the life and service of Father Faustino, who was always concerned about educating our young people and children in the values of our Christian faith,” the invitation to the Mass noted.

“Before the signs of death that seem to dominate our society,” the invitation read, “we, the servants of Mary, wish to reaffirm our faith and trust in the God of life, who guides our history.”

Father Faustino was born on April 29, 1935, near the city of Venice, Italy.  At 11 years of age he entered the minor seminary and he was ordained a priest in 1960. 

He was known for his work in with young people throughout Chile.

In 1977 he traveled to Santiago, where he continued his work in the formation and education of youth.

During the funeral Mass last year, the Archbishop of Santiago, Cardinal Javier Errazuriz, recalled how Father Faustino left his native Italy the same year of his ordination and took up the cross of the missionary.

“The love for our people that grew in his spirit, his will to serve them such, that he identified with us, renouncing his own citizenship to become Chilean.  He became a fellow countryman, like so many missionaries,” the Cardinal said.