Brava: Padre Pio Gottin remembered as “father, missionary” and “inescapable figure of humanity”

Padre Pio Gottin is remembered by some Brava residents as a father, missionary, and an unavoidable figure in humanity, taking into account what he did socially, spiritually and in various areas on Brava.

In commemoration of the centenary of the birth of Padre Pio Gottin, the Franciscan sisters began a range of activities that began this Wednesday, 7th, on the island of Brava and will end on the 12th of March, in the city of Praia.

In order to talk and make known who Padre Pio Gottin was to younger people, Inforpress contacted some Brave people, who lived closely with this “charismatic figure” and had the opportunity to benefit from some of the actions he took.

Ondina Nobre is a Brave woman who had the opportunity to live with Padre Pio and describes the priest as an “inescapable figure, a father, a missionary, an educator, a friend, and a supporter”, who didn’t need to know anyone’s identity, in case needed, so Padre Pio was always ready to support whatever was needed.

According to the same source, in his childhood, in addition to the many difficulties faced at the time, many families were sometimes unable to guarantee food for their children, but the children of the Escola Materna, an emblematic work built by Padre Pio, “did not go hungry”.

“At the time, the maternal school was well organized, as there were more than three hundred children and we all had a hot meal”, he recalled, underlining that mothers sent children to school without worry because they knew that children would find “bread of body and in spirit”.

As for the activities that are being carried out to commemorate the centenary of his birth, Ondina Nobre praised the initiative, as she justified that it is an opportunity for younger people to meet and find out who Padre Pio was, what he represents and what he did by Brava.

Likewise, Orlando Burgo, even though he lived less with this religious, says he has memories and knowledge of his works and legacies that he made and left for Brava and beyond.

According to this Brave native, when Padre Pio emigrated to the United States of America (USA) he was around eight years old, but at that time he was already attending the Mother School, where he was warm and remembers him as a kind, affectionate, which made all the children approach him to receive the hug with his “simple way” of a Franciscan.

Orlando Burgo said that he grew up listening to his stories, communications made by other Franciscan brothers, but he has also done some research on his life and work, which speak of a religious who gave a lot to the island, especially in his youth.

“The Capuchins marked a generation of Brava society, especially at a time of many difficulties, namely the drought and Padre Pio, as superior, greatly influenced the population of Brava, between the 50s and 78s”, he said.

On Brava, he spoke of the building of the Mother School, which he considered one of the accomplishments of this religious man who sheltered all the children on the island with difficulties, a legacy of Padre Pio that remained in the memory of many, but also highlighted that he was the founder of the Institute of the Consecrated Franciscans of the Immaculate Conception, which, as he recalled, began as the Franciscan Third Order at the time.

The same source highlighted that Padre Pio, in addition to working in the social area, in the health area, was also seen as an administrator of the municipality, since he supported the administrator in some guidelines, in addition to the football teams he created.

And when he emigrated to the USA, his mission with the Cape Verdeans did not end, because as this Brave man said, he continued to support and accompany the Cape Verdeans who emigrated to the USA while he was on his mission.

As for the program, for today, the 9th, the presentation of a lecture on the theme “Padre Pio and the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception” is scheduled, and on the 10th, a cultural evening.

On Saturday, the 11th, there will be a prayer vigil and on Sunday, the 12th of March, a single mass will be celebrated in the parish of São João Baptista, followed by a convivial lunch.

Padre Pio Olívio Gottin was born on March 11, 1924, in Pozzoleone (Vicenza), in the Parish of Madona di Campagna, Turin, Italy.

He made perpetual vows on March 19, 1945, and was ordained a priest on February 1, 1948.

The priest arrived in Cape Verde on March 31, 1949, and was stationed in the parish of São Lourenço, Fogo from 1949 to 1955, on Brava Island from 1955 to 1979, he went to the United States on March 24, 1979, where worked until 1999 and died in the United States on November 7, 1999.

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