On May 27, 2025, the Consolata missionary, Father Renzo Marcolongo, returned to the house of the Father. He was 74 years old, of which 52 years of religious profession and 47 years of priesthood.
By Michelangelo Piovano and Ernesto Viscardi *
The funeral Mass, presided over by the Vice Superior General, Father Michelangelo Piovano, was celebrated on May 30 in the Parish Church of the SS. Crocifisso (Holy Cross) on Via Bravetta, adjacent to the IMC International Theological Seminary in Rome where Father Renzo worked on the formation team.
The ceremony was a strong moment of thanksgiving to God for the gift of the life and mission of Father Renzo, missionary, educator and psychologist. His ashes will be placed in the cemetery of Venaria Reale (TO), in the tomb of his parents. Among the various messages of condolence we publish the homily given by Father Michelangelo Piovano, and the testimony of one of his companions in the seminary and mission, Father Ernesto Viscardi.
Homily for the Funeral Mass of Father Renzo Marcolongo
“Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead and enter into his glory” (Luke 24:46,26).
The Words of the Gospel acclamation song projects us, in this Easter season, into the mystery of Christ’s Passover in which we are also called to understand and accept, with the same faith, also Father Renzo Marcolongo’s Passover for whom today we pray, say farewell and give thanks for the gift of his life.
The life of every Christian, of a priest, religious and missionary has meaning and is fully realized in the mystery and time of Easter which is also the mystery and time of our life.
This was the life of Father Renzo, woven with this mystery from his baptism, from the Christian education he received from his parents, in his parish community and in all the formation he received and lived until his consecration in religious, priestly and missionary life.
Today we contemplate the missionary life of Father Renzo in the light of the first great apostle and missionary, Saint Paul, who in Corinth with courage and amidst consolations and persecutions dedicates himself to the proclamation of the Gospel first among the Jews and then among the pagans. He does not do it alone, but with other mission companions and collaborators, giving life to new Christian communities and forming Christians convinced in the faith they profess.
There are some beautiful images sent from Colombia, where Father Renzo worked for many years, where we see him celebrating Palm Sunday, and where he is in front of a long procession of faithful as the celebrant, as the good Shepherd, as the one who represents Jesus who goes towards his Passion.
A life dedicated to others, to the mission, to the poor in particular. A life dedicated to formation and caring for people, making himself available with the gifts and preparation he had.
Many missionaries in these days have said thank you and prayed for Father Renzo as their formator.
Our missionary family says thank you because he was the missionary fully identified with our Institute and charism.
He did it with commitment, dedication and competence in all the services he carried out and that were asked of him, he did it by living the spirit of communion, helping the missionaries to grow in this spirit, encouraging, guiding and above all being himself a man of communion, of true and mature relationships.
“Do not be afraid, continue to speak and do not be silent, because I am with you and no one will try to harm you”. These are the Words that the Lord addresses to Paul and how many times Father Renzo must have heard them whispered in his heart by the Lord or by those who were close to him and loved him.
The Gospel has words of consolation for us, for his brothers and family and for all the friends of Father Renzo:
“You will weep and lament…you will be sad, but your sadness will turn into joy. Now you have sorrow, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”
It is still in the light of Easter that we understand these words of Jesus in his farewell discourse to his disciples.
Let us hear them pronounced by Jesus and by Father Renzo who already lives in the fullness of this joy and of eternal Easter.
Let us feel them as a viaticum for our earthly pilgrimage still made of sadness, pain and tears, but also of joy and consolation when we let the Lord change our life to put it at the service of others to console and dry tears, as Father Renzo did, and as we want to continue to do, also driven by his example.
Father Renzo, we pray for you and contemplate you in the joy of the communion of the Saints, in particular of Our Lady Consolata and Saint Joseph Allamano.
Please pray also for all of us, for your family and friends and for our Institute.
* Father Michelangelo Piovano, IMC, Vice Superior General.
Thanks Renzo and goodbye
Dearest Renzo, it’s hard, it’s difficult to say goodbye and to say it in such a quick and unexpected way. Just a couple of weeks ago, we were sitting in my office, joking, remembering or as we used to say: fixing the Institute.
Like old aging friends, who occasionally dare to look back at the past without shame, we have often recalled memories of years gone by, of youthful adventures and passions, of years of formation, memories of places and mission events, of people and companions along the way to whom we are still connected. We have even created a WhatsApp group called “professi ’72”, in order to remain in contact.
In the years of our youth with Father Antonio Bonanomi we savored the moments of the great revolution of formation, he made us savor the eagerness for studying and the zest for culture. We were then many in that novitiate of 71-72 with Father Gobatti, who then were dispersed in different groups between Turin, Rome and London, without however losing contact with each other.
London was for some of us the first serious adventure abroad, in that famous Missionary Institute, a real missionary factory, of which you were later to be the administrator.
Then the diaconate, when you already were in the hospital for a stomach hemorrhage. The cause of surprise and pain on the part of your mother and father who arrived in London, not aware of your ailment.
The ordination in ’78, and finally leaving together for the adventure in Zaire, with a backpack on our shoulders and the desire to change the world, to convert Africa, to create a social revolution.
What a fervor, yes because back then we started like this, a few suitcases and a mount of enthusiasm: You in Wamba and I in Doruma , joined later by Giacomino Mazzotti. Then our paths diverged, you in Colombia, Rome, London and again in Colombia and again in Rome, in the meantime with your title of psychologist in your pocket; I instead in Italy and then in Mongolia.
What an adventure the mission, how many surprises, how much energy spent for the gospel and the kingdom of God. In our meetings we told each other all about it. You with your pragmatic, down to earth, very human approach and I a bit of a dreamer and visionary.
With the rest of our adventure friends, reflecting on it, I can say that yes, we are a group of missionaries of another period but proud of it, from a time when the mission completed captivated you from toenail to the tip of your hair, absorbing your body and soul.
This is how your life has been, which then as a psychologist, has bent over many sufferings that medicines do not cure, but that kind words and closeness restore hope and life.
As friends, it is still difficult to say goodbye to you, Renzo. Of course, in faith we cannot say anything other than goodbye to that encounter with the Lord that was and is the reason and content of our missionary adventure.
Now that you are with your father Felice and your mother Pina, who have welcomed us into your home many times, you have the duty to look after your brothers, your close relatives, even those in Veneto, and to be their protector, their guardian.
For us, your friends and companions of many years, it is enough to remember you as you have been in these 74 years of your existence, happy to have walked with you in this world.
But you yourself will certainly have an innumerable host of friends and acquaintances, met during the years of the mission in the various continents that you have stepped upon; therefore, you already have plenty of work.
Do not forget your missionary family, your Institute that raised you, educated you and made you a Consolata missionary. You were a formator, so remember in a special way the many formation houses.
Many in this church today have come to greet you, but please, receive a very special hug and a warm prayer from us, your friends and companions, many of whom would have liked to be here beside you on this day.
Once again. Thank you Renzo and Goodbye.
* Father Ernesto Viscardi, IMC, and professed friends ’72. Rome, May 30, 2025.
