YOUTH HOLINESS

by Pascual Chávez Villanueva

FRUITS OF THE

PREVENTIVE SYSTEM

RENATO

AND SIGMUND

Here for our readers are two more fruits of Don Bosco’s system, who for this year will be the last. However, I invite all of you to find others – they certainly exist– and to make them known. Here then are Renato Scalandri, from Turin and Sigmund Ocasion from Mandaluyong in the Philippines.

Renato (1919-1944) attended the Salesian Sixth Form College at Valsalice, where he was known and admired for his constant cheerfulness, his serious approach to his studies, his enthusiasm in all he did and the holiness of his life. He openly lived his faith with so much conviction that he gained the respect even of those who did not share his beliefs. A second lieutenant in the Alpine Regiment, in 1943 he was deported to Germany and on 22 April 1944 he was treacherously killed by one of the guards, as a consequence of his sense of duty and his faith. Buried with full military honours in the camp cemetery, only in 1967 were his remains brought to Italy. Now he lies beside his parents in Sangano (TO). He was a youngster like so many others: large hearted, always approachable, with an open smile. Polite, pleasant, cheerful, generous, studious... the adjectives could continue. He enjoyed going cycling and the mountains. He loved people, the parish and youngsters - so much so that he was moved when he came across those who were unhappy, or lonely or had no one to look after them. At Valsalice he is remembered as “the best of the students”. He had plenty of ideas and could express them well. A lively young man. A holy young man! “You could see in him a purity of heart, a shining faith, the cheerful optimism of his vigorous youthfulness... He was charming and persuasive, the driving force of our parish,” a girl from Sangano says. He had a strong sense of responsibility and of duty himself, and he encouraged his friends and associates to show the same attitude. If one of the group leaders forgot to follow up one of the youngsters who was missing from a meeting, he asked: “Some one is missing and you are not concerned? He might be ill or have some problem … We can’t leave anyone out on a limb.” He used to say that you can’t be a real Christian if you are not fully human. Even in the war he demonstrated his attention to detail and his decisiveness and among his fellow soldiers showed his energy and zeal. He organised cultural activities and moments of prayer, and with his attractive friendliness was able to bring lots of young men to share his enthusiasm. After the armistice in 1943, he was deported to Germany, to a camp in Luckenwalde and then to Poland at Przemyls. He didn’t lose heart: he studied history, read books on spirituality, he also kept a diary and began to write a book. But above all he continued his apostolic work: offering comfort, advice, keeping up morale, helping those in need. On 21 April 1944, he told the camp chaplain Fr Mario Besnate, a Salesian: “Father... if I were to die in prison I can assure you that I wouldn’t bear any grudge against the Germans.” The following day he wanted to go to the neighbouring camp to visit someone who was sick and take him Holy Communion. He showed his pass to the sentry who tore it up without looking at it and ordered him to return at once to his hut. Renato turned to obey and the guard shot him in the back at pointblank range.

_Sigmund was born in ‘76. Today he would be 28. The only boy in a family of four, Sieg had a marvellous family life. He began elementary school at Don Bosco in Mandaluyong. Not only was it close to home, but his parents believed that a salesian school would provide him with a sound human, moral and spiritual foundation. Sigmund obtained excellent results in religion there and also a prize for the most popular pupil. He was a member of the “Friends of Dominic Savio” Club, of the “Apostles among Companions” group and a leaders’ training group. In 1992 the family emigrated to Canada. Sigmund impressed his teachers in Toronto by his progress and his companions by his goodness and generosity. He soon became a leader. Among other things he made his mark as “an outstanding basket-ball player,” so much so that he was taken on by the Duke team, and became their best player. However, life was not easy in Canada, and Sigmund decided to... help things along: “Mum, I’ll do a local paper round to help with the bills”. “That’s a good idea, son, but are you sure you won’t be ashamed about it?” “Why should I be?”. Then to help with the university fees he worked in a “fast food” store and did the washing up in an old peoples’ home. He got his degee at 22 years of age and began work as a chemical analyst, showing seriousness, competence and determination. The President of the company called him “Big Fellow” and “Little President”. Then just when it seemed that a successful material and social life was opening up for him, out of the blue illness struck. One evening in February 2000, returning from work Sigmund felt a sharp pain in his stomach It was a tumour of the colon. Fear, tears, prayers…and an operation. Then the anxious wait. The consultant’s verdict left no hope: “Unfortunately it’s malignant”. The illness raced ahead. A Salesian brought him the sacrament of the sick. He was calm. His deep faith led him to console his family, instead of complaining. Everyone, doctors, nurses and other patients called him “a special guy”, and he had a stream of visitors. He firmly believed that God had a purpose in his sufferings. In the Canadian Salesian Newsletter (June 2000), Fr Joseph Occhio wrote: “Today, 14 June, I shall celebrate the messa di trigesima for the repose of the soul of Sigmund Ocasion. Three months ago, he found out that he had terminal cancer. He was a shining example of the success of salesian spirituality: his serenity, courage and peace until the moment of his death made me think of Dominic Savio”. ■