DON MARIO CICERI
LIFE
Childhood
Colombina Vimercati and Luigi Ciceri – Mario Ciceri’s parents
Leonardo and Mario Ciceri – first day in seminary
Mario Ciceri was born on 8th September 1900 in a small town called Veduggio (in province of Milan, Italy) which at that time had around 1.500 inhabitants. His parents were Luigi Ciceri and Colomba Vimercati and Mario was the fourth of six sons.
During his childhood, Mario was surrounded by his family’s love and care. Despite the fact Luigi and Colomba were simple farmers, took care, in addition to their 2 sons and 4 daughters, also to the thirteen children of Luigi’s brother Francesco, because his wife Giuseppina Galbiati, was died during the last childbirth. In a such big family with also economic issues, Mario was educated to love, mercy, work and simplicity by his mother who was a fervent believer.
At the age of eight years, Mario told to the priest of Veduggio, Carlo Mario Colombo, that he would like to become a priest. Even if Mario’s family was supporting his decision and God’s project for Mario’s life, they were worried about the length of the studies and the money needed.
However, Mario’s commitment as student allowed him to obtain scholarships to finish the entire theological studies.
In May 1908 Mario received the Confirmation and in May 1910 the Communion’s sacrament. Later he continued his studies at the Gervasoni College in Valnegra (Bergamo): on the first Sunday of October 1912, he was “dressed as a priest” and entered the diocesan seminary of Seveso.
The years of study were characterized by exemplary conduct: serious, committed, correct, helpful, active, he left in his superiors, teachers and classmates a penetrating and affectionate memory, which would later be expressed in general grief and spontaneous participation in the pain for his premature death. At the beginning of the second year of high school, in October 1918, he moved to Gorla Minore as “prefect”; he then attended the years of theology at the seminary of Porta Venezia in Milan. Cardinal Eugenio Tosi ordained him a priest on 14th June 1924 in the Milan’s Cathedral.
Don Mario Ciceri – just ordained priest
A given life
DEVOTION
After becoming priest, Mario was sent to the small town of Sulbiate (in province of Milan, Italy) not far away from his hometown Veduggio. He spent his entire life in Brentana’s parish.
Don Mario’s tenacious faith was substantiated through prayer and adoration. A sober lifestyle was accompanied by wearing a metal chain as cilice as a form of suffering offered for others, in particular the sick, non-believers and sinners.
Prayer occupied him from the early hours of the morning until late in the evening spending his free time in reflection and meditation, preferably in church in front of the tabernacle where he scrupulously composed homilies and speeches and prepared the celebration of Holy Mass with particular care and devotion.
He devoted a great deal of time to the sacrament of Reconciliation in the parish of Brentana and neighbouring villages. He was very devoted to Our Lady. He never missed an opportunity to recite the Holy Rosary. His prayers were answered in the case of a young woman who was judged incurable and sent to Lourdes. In 1935 he also went to Lourdes and spent nights of vigil in prayer in front of the cave. When he come back to Sulbiate, he decided to build a cave for Our Lady similar to the one of Lourdes to pray with the young people.
Next to Mary, Don Mario venerated in a special way St. Francis, St. John Bosco, St. Cottolengo, St. Therese of the Child Jesus, whose poverty, availability, spirit of sacrifice, humility, love for the poor and suffering he admired. He kept a special cult for the dead and did not miss the opportunity to invite and accompany the young people to the cemetery reciting the Holy Rosary together, along the way.
ORATORY
CATHOLIC ACTION ASSOCIATION
ATTENTION FOR THE SICK AND POOR PEOPLE
SECOND WORLD WAR
Tragic death
On the evening of 9th February 1945, coming back by bicycle to Brentana from Verderio Inferiore, where he had gone to confess, Don Mario was the victim of a tragic accident. Because of the darkness and the snow a small cart ran over him.
He was brought in very serious condition at the hospital of Vimercate for the fracture of several ribs and deep injuries to the liver. Many young people and men gathered at the hospital ready to donate their blood for Mario. During the two months of hospitalization, Don Mario proved to be exemplary in pain’s endurance and there was always a long line of people at his bedside.
He died on 4th April 1945, offering his life: “If the Lord wants my poor life, I will gladly offer it to him, so that the war may end, so that all the soldiers may return, especially ours; I offer it to him for my parishioners whom I loved so much and for poor sinners.”
The funeral took place on 7th April in Sulbiate with the participation of an immense crowd of people and priests from neighboring villages, to say goodbye to a priest and a man already considered a saint. On 25th April, while the funeral service was being held in his memory, the announcement came that the Second World War was over.
Don Mario’s funeral – 1
Don Mario’s funeral – 2
Don Mario’s funeral – 3
Don Mario’s funeral – 4
Don Mario’s funeral- 5
Don Mario’s funeral- 6
Don Mario Ciceri
ordinazione sacerdotale
14 giugno 1924
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