CESANA Franco (Father)

A gentle and docile character, Fr Franco progressed firmly and calmly everywhere that obedience called him. He surrendered himself to the will of God in letting himself be guided by Him with compliance and simplicity. During some long years, he took part in the parish of Lissone before being sent to the hills of Tuscany at Ponte a Elsa, then to the Sanctuary of the Caravina on Lake Lugano as a rector and finally to Albiate, near his home, where he was devoted to the pastoral care of the sick and where, thanks to his good-heartedness, he could be a support for the loved ones of lots of people in difficulty.

In this way, he gave his life, putting himself into the hands of the Lord, of his brothers and superiors with an almost child like abandon. He lived out his mission making himself close to the most fragile; he brought a good word, a smile, a little gift to everyone; with his easy going character, he visited the sick in the Carate Hospital, and the guests and personnel of the Zucchi Clinic. He closed his eyes to earthly life in that same clinic, supported by people who knew him well, whom he had visited daily with simplicity and gentleness and by whom he too had ended up being doted on; he was the ‘good Father’ who bestowed the love he had upon everyone: The Word of the Gospel.

P. Piero Trameri scj
Regional Vicar in Italy