Sr. Mary Veronica, OCD
Sr. Mary Veronica is a member of the community of Maria Regina in Eugene, Oregon. The following article written by Sr. Veronica recounts the tragic story of Fr. Sergio Sorgon, a Discalced Carmelite from Italy, who was assassinated in Madagascar.
“I realize that my priestly mission experiencing now its moment of joy will later on, and perhaps in more abundant measure, taste the chalice of bitterness. With the strength that I humbly beg from Christ, I shall, if he so wishes, accept and drink to the last drop the bitter chalice, confident that my sacrifice united to that of Christ will be most fruitful for the salvation of souls.” How prophetic these words spoken by Fr. Sergio in a homily a few months after his ordination to the priesthood turned out to be. He was to give his life in the fulfillment of his missionary apostolate.
Sergio Sorgon was born on November 12, 1938, to Emilio and Rosa de Faveri Sorgon, the fourth and first boy of ten children. The family, close-knit, hard-working peasants, devout in the practice of the faith, provided the religious atmosphere that helped Sergio to determine his vocation to Carmel very early on. He was especially his father’s child, looking to him as his model in all things.
Sergio entered the Discalced Carmelite seminary of the Venetian Province on October 13, 1949, just before his eleventh birthday. During the first years of formation, the students were not permitted to make a formal commitment. They received training and lived the Carmelite life in a manner appropriate to their age. These years of formation were difficult ones for Sergio. He suffered from loneliness and missed his family very much. His father was assiduous in sending him letters to encourage him in his vocation.
On September 12, 1955, Sergio received the habit and the name of Bro. Attilio of St. Joseph. Simple vows followed a year later. The year after that brought the onset of a painful disease of the bone, finally diagnosed as a slow and incurable corroding of the bone structure of his right thigh. He suffered from this for the rest of his life.
The death of Sergio’s father Emilio in 1959 was an especially painful blow. As eldest son, Sergio assumed as far as possible the role of father to his family. He behaved with authority, scolding them when they did not pray the family rosary in the evenings or when there were family arguments. He also showed a hitherto unrevealed softer side toward them all.
The first few years of Sergio’s priesthood were spent in studies and pastoral work in different places in Italy. He was the strongman of any community he was in, always taking on the heavy work of lifting or lugging. His infectious enthusiasm appealed to young people, and he was popular with them.
From the very beginning, Sergio had longed to be a missionary. In December 1966, he wrote to his provincial telling him that he now felt ready to undertake what he termed “the fullness of the priesthood” and begging to be part of the next group to be sent to the missions. He was willing to go anywhere except Japan, which he regarded as adequately staffed, but dreamed of the Congo. When his request was granted, although it would not become a reality for at least a year, he broke the news of his acceptance to his family, assuring them that no danger was attached to the undertaking. He knew that generous as they were, the separation would still be difficult. He suffered at causing them pain. “Life is made up of separations. I know that I should not be the one to make you bear this cross but what if one day I should have to regret not having done what I understood to be the will of God for me?”
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