BL. COSMA SPESSOTTO, PRIEST AND MARTYR

BL. COSMA SPESSOTTO, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 10 JUNE

BLESSED COSMA SPESSOTTO, PRIEST AND MARTYR

Blessed Cosma Spessotto was born in Italy in 1923 to a peasant couple. Blessed Cosma's aunt Maria wanted to be a nun, but was forced to withdraw due to a bone disease. Maria taught the catechism to Blessed Cosma and also told him stories about the saints. Blessed Cosma felt called to the priesthood and wished to join the Franciscan Friary at Motta di Livenza, living the Rule of Saint Francis of Assisi.

HE JOINED THE FRANCISCAN FRIARS

His father gave permission and in 1938, at the age of 15. Blessed Cosma took some clothes, and some savings given to him by his aunt, and went to the train station for his journey to the Friary. While waiting for his train, Blessed Cosma said to his father: "Now I call you father but one day you will call me father."

THE OPERATION

During the Second World War, Blessed Cosma's training kept being interrupted due to fighting and bombings. On one occasion Blessed Cosma had to undergo an operation, which was very painful as there was no anaesthesia available due to the war. He asked the nursing sister for a crucifix and that she held his hand during the operation, which proved successful.

HE WAS SENT TO EL SALVADOR

Blessed Cosma was ordained a priest in 1948. The following year he was sent with two others to work as missionaries in El Salvador. He quickly learnt Spanish and was then sent to work in the town of San Juan Nonualco. He arrived riding a Vespa and covered in dust from the dirt roads.

HE VISITED ALL THE HOMES

Blessed Cosma visited all the homes and decided to rebuild the church that had been levelled by an earthquake in the 1930's. He found many couples living together and organised mass weddings to put things right for them. Some guerrillas gained control of the church one day and took several priests hostage.

Blessed Cosma negotiated their release. He also set about raising funds for the construction of a school and health clinics.

HE STARTED TO DENOUNCE THE RULER'S ABUSES

In the 1970's, Blessed Cosma started to denounce the abuses taking place by the ruling junta. He grew even more vocal after armed gunmen assassinated Fr Rutilio Grande. For this Blessed Cosma received many death threats himself.

"PARDON, PARDON"

In 1980 Blessed Cosma was diagnosed with leukaemia. Later that year, on June 14, while preparing to celebrate the evening Mass in his church, he was shot at point-blank range at the altar. As he lay dying, and as he was receiving the Last Rites from another priest, his final words were "pardon, pardon".

Blessed Cosma Spessotto, pray for us.

(From "Spiritual Thought from Father Chris")

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