The Transfiguration of Jesus

Catholic Community of St. Paul's

Catholic Priest's Online

Catholic Radio Weekly

Fr. Nick's Seminary Classmate's & Friends
 Br. Frank - Fr. Steve - Fr. Andy

PADRE TULLIO FAVALI
(10 dicembre 1946 - 11 aprile 1985)


Fr. Tullio Favali



It was a true Blessing in my life to have known Fr. Tullio Favali, a true man of God. We had the opportunity to live and work together for a year. I recall one day when he had just come back after his afternoon game of soccer, a sport that he enjoyed a great deal. He was quite upset because on the one day he borrowed my bike someone kicked the ball into it and broke a couple of the spokes. I told him, "don't worry, it's just a bike." On that day I invited to take him to a baseball game. He was excited about the opportunity to do so. That weekend we headed out to a double header. I thought I'd give him twice the fun. What an experience he had that day. It rained the entire time and for one who enjoyed playing soccer it turned out to be one of the most boring sports one could ever observe. Need I say that we did not stay to watch the second game.

I recall the day that he an Fr. Bruno came to visit at my families home. My mother and Grandmother wanted to make them a meal that they would enjoy and so they prepared for them what they thought would be and Italian Gourmet Delight, they should have stuck to their Polish cooking. Fr. Tullio and Fr. Bruno were were very gracious that day.

Fr. Tullio spent the summer with me working at our summer camp program. He was truly loved by the youth. He was a soft spoken caring man of God. He knew how to touch the hearts of the youth who he ministered to.

I remember the day I received the phone call from Fr.Luigi, our then Regional Superior of PIME. He said to me, "Nick, I have some bad news and some good news to share with you." the bad news: "Fr. Tullio was killed in the missions." the good news: "He died as a Martyr."

Let us pray that we to may have the courage and strength to die for our faith.

Fr. Tullio Favail, Prophet and Priest

 

PHILIPPINES - Missionary martyr’s killer now fervent believer

Manila (Fides) – Martyrs’ blood leads to conversion of hearts; Edilberto Manero, aged 49, one of the men convicted in 1987 of killing Italian missionary Fr Tulio Favali of the PIME Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, is today a fervent, practicing Christian. Fides was told this by Fr Roberto Olaguer, chaplain of Muntinlupa maximum security prison where Manero is serving a life sentence. Manero, father of three, is a changed man. "He is an active member of the Mother of Mercy Parish in the care of Fr Olaguer, witnessing his faith among his fellow prisoners. Isolation, hard labour and apostolate have led him to conversion of heart" Fr Olaguer, who is now Manero’s spiritual director, told Fides.

"My conversion began on the day I shot and killed Father Tulio Favali" Manero told Fr Olaguer. "I have left the life of my Browning automatic rifle to try to live the Gospel of John 3:16: where is says that Jesus died so that "all who believe in him may not die but may have eternal life. After I was convicted in1987 I was brought to Muntinlupa. In 1988 I began to attend Charismatic Renewal meetings. I learned to accept my past sins and I wanted to surrender myself to God. I heard from my quarters their prayers and their words of forgiveness and repentance. I began to feel deep peace when I realized that Jesus Christ is truly my Saviour"

In 1993 Manero was sent for a year to the Davao Penal Colony for hard labour. Here he joined a Happy-Go-Lucky-Religious Affair’ a group of 700 Catholics, Baptists and born-again Christians. They sang praises, read the Bible, held seminars. "I came to understand that when I feel most helpless God is nearest to me" Manero explained.

Manero tells of his pain at being separated from his wife and children. He prays to God to protect them.

Recalling the death of Fr Favali Manero says: "It was 5 in the afternoon, on April 11, 1985. I shot the poor priest several times with my rifle after he caused me of burning his motorcycle. I did not know he was a priest. Fr Favali was at the house of Rufino Robles whom I shot and wounded earlier on that fateful day in a heated argument. The Robles family told Fr Favali about the incident and the priest went that afternoon to Rufino’s house, which was near mine. While Fr Favali was there someone burned his bike. The priest and I both ran outside after hearing the explosion. Fr Favali started accusing me and I got angry: I took my rifle and shot him in the head.. That act cost me my freedom and rights as a person, but through hardship and pain I have found the true meaning of life." (30/3/2001)


 

Internet Ministry of Father Nicholas O'Brien of the Diocese of Orlando, Florida - email:frnick@fathernick.com