Don Mosè Lionello's name is linked to one of the most tragic events which ever occurred in Cavarzere and post-war Italy: the death, on May 21, 1950, of fifteen children aged between 4 and 12, at Boscochiaro, who drowned in the Gorzone after falling from a wooden walkway during a procession led by Don Mosè himself.
The priest himself saved a number of children after jumping into the waters of the channel.
A national tragedy that echoed for years, it profoundly marked the priest's life. The responsibilities of the event have never been clarified. A sentence of four years to the then communal engineer for negligence was the outcome of the process which followed. But Don Mosè left a note in which he spoke of two boatmen who hit the walkway a few nights before and whom had asked for his forgiveness. "I have forgiven them", wrote the priest, keeping the rest for himself through the secrecy of confession.
But perhaps, the priest never forgave himself, although he was not the one the blame for the tragedy itself.
The parish of Boscochiaro has risen thanks to his initiative. Born in Loreo, Province of Rovigo, Veneto, on December 31, 1906, Lionello was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Cuneo in May 1932. Since 1937, for over sixty years, he celebrated mass in parishes across Cavarzere.
Graduating in theology, his first pastoral experience was that of pastor at San Giuseppe, where he served until being transferred to Boscochiaro, where at the period, no parish was in existence. Here, Lionello was welcomed by a certain Cesare Crocco known as "Pempa", a fishmonger, who gave him a room in his house, where the priest celebrated mass for some time until having the small Marchesi Rovelli chapel built, where the present parish sacristy now stands.
For years, Lionello celebrated mass in the small chapel of the hospital of Cavarzere, for patients and residents of the home for elderly. There was always a word of comfort for all, especially for the young ones, whom he pampered by extracting from the drawer of his desk, chocolate bars and delicacies.
Don Mosè died in silence, the same silence which he endured across his long life, through "the greatest pain", that is, the Boscochiaro tragedy. Death came on Wednesday, October 29, 2008, at the venerable age of 101 years and 10 months, shortly after having celebrated his 75th anniversary from his priesthood ordination.
Funeral Mass, led by the Bishop of Chioggia, Monsignor Angelo Daniel, was said at the Cavarzere Duomo on Friday, October 31, 2008, at 15 hrs., followed by interment inside the local cemetery.
The priest himself saved a number of children after jumping into the waters of the channel.
A national tragedy that echoed for years, it profoundly marked the priest's life. The responsibilities of the event have never been clarified. A sentence of four years to the then communal engineer for negligence was the outcome of the process which followed. But Don Mosè left a note in which he spoke of two boatmen who hit the walkway a few nights before and whom had asked for his forgiveness. "I have forgiven them", wrote the priest, keeping the rest for himself through the secrecy of confession.
But perhaps, the priest never forgave himself, although he was not the one the blame for the tragedy itself.
The parish of Boscochiaro has risen thanks to his initiative. Born in Loreo, Province of Rovigo, Veneto, on December 31, 1906, Lionello was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Cuneo in May 1932. Since 1937, for over sixty years, he celebrated mass in parishes across Cavarzere.
Graduating in theology, his first pastoral experience was that of pastor at San Giuseppe, where he served until being transferred to Boscochiaro, where at the period, no parish was in existence. Here, Lionello was welcomed by a certain Cesare Crocco known as "Pempa", a fishmonger, who gave him a room in his house, where the priest celebrated mass for some time until having the small Marchesi Rovelli chapel built, where the present parish sacristy now stands.
For years, Lionello celebrated mass in the small chapel of the hospital of Cavarzere, for patients and residents of the home for elderly. There was always a word of comfort for all, especially for the young ones, whom he pampered by extracting from the drawer of his desk, chocolate bars and delicacies.
Don Mosè died in silence, the same silence which he endured across his long life, through "the greatest pain", that is, the Boscochiaro tragedy. Death came on Wednesday, October 29, 2008, at the venerable age of 101 years and 10 months, shortly after having celebrated his 75th anniversary from his priesthood ordination.
Funeral Mass, led by the Bishop of Chioggia, Monsignor Angelo Daniel, was said at the Cavarzere Duomo on Friday, October 31, 2008, at 15 hrs., followed by interment inside the local cemetery.
Don Mosè Lionello's name is linked to one of the most tragic events which ever occurred in Cavarzere and post-war Italy: the death, on May 21, 1950, of fifteen children aged between 4 and 12, at Boscochiaro, who drowned in the Gorzone after falling from a wooden walkway during a procession led by Don Mosè himself.
The priest himself saved a number of children after jumping into the waters of the channel.
A national tragedy that echoed for years, it profoundly marked the priest's life. The responsibilities of the event have never been clarified. A sentence of four years to the then communal engineer for negligence was the outcome of the process which followed. But Don Mosè left a note in which he spoke of two boatmen who hit the walkway a few nights before and whom had asked for his forgiveness. "I have forgiven them", wrote the priest, keeping the rest for himself through the secrecy of confession.
But perhaps, the priest never forgave himself, although he was not the one the blame for the tragedy itself.
The parish of Boscochiaro has risen thanks to his initiative. Born in Loreo, Province of Rovigo, Veneto, on December 31, 1906, Lionello was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Cuneo in May 1932. Since 1937, for over sixty years, he celebrated mass in parishes across Cavarzere.
Graduating in theology, his first pastoral experience was that of pastor at San Giuseppe, where he served until being transferred to Boscochiaro, where at the period, no parish was in existence. Here, Lionello was welcomed by a certain Cesare Crocco known as "Pempa", a fishmonger, who gave him a room in his house, where the priest celebrated mass for some time until having the small Marchesi Rovelli chapel built, where the present parish sacristy now stands.
For years, Lionello celebrated mass in the small chapel of the hospital of Cavarzere, for patients and residents of the home for elderly. There was always a word of comfort for all, especially for the young ones, whom he pampered by extracting from the drawer of his desk, chocolate bars and delicacies.
Don Mosè died in silence, the same silence which he endured across his long life, through "the greatest pain", that is, the Boscochiaro tragedy. Death came on Wednesday, October 29, 2008, at the venerable age of 101 years and 10 months, shortly after having celebrated his 75th anniversary from his priesthood ordination.
Funeral Mass, led by the Bishop of Chioggia, Monsignor Angelo Daniel, was said at the Cavarzere Duomo on Friday, October 31, 2008, at 15 hrs., followed by interment inside the local cemetery.
The priest himself saved a number of children after jumping into the waters of the channel.
A national tragedy that echoed for years, it profoundly marked the priest's life. The responsibilities of the event have never been clarified. A sentence of four years to the then communal engineer for negligence was the outcome of the process which followed. But Don Mosè left a note in which he spoke of two boatmen who hit the walkway a few nights before and whom had asked for his forgiveness. "I have forgiven them", wrote the priest, keeping the rest for himself through the secrecy of confession.
But perhaps, the priest never forgave himself, although he was not the one the blame for the tragedy itself.
The parish of Boscochiaro has risen thanks to his initiative. Born in Loreo, Province of Rovigo, Veneto, on December 31, 1906, Lionello was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Cuneo in May 1932. Since 1937, for over sixty years, he celebrated mass in parishes across Cavarzere.
Graduating in theology, his first pastoral experience was that of pastor at San Giuseppe, where he served until being transferred to Boscochiaro, where at the period, no parish was in existence. Here, Lionello was welcomed by a certain Cesare Crocco known as "Pempa", a fishmonger, who gave him a room in his house, where the priest celebrated mass for some time until having the small Marchesi Rovelli chapel built, where the present parish sacristy now stands.
For years, Lionello celebrated mass in the small chapel of the hospital of Cavarzere, for patients and residents of the home for elderly. There was always a word of comfort for all, especially for the young ones, whom he pampered by extracting from the drawer of his desk, chocolate bars and delicacies.
Don Mosè died in silence, the same silence which he endured across his long life, through "the greatest pain", that is, the Boscochiaro tragedy. Death came on Wednesday, October 29, 2008, at the venerable age of 101 years and 10 months, shortly after having celebrated his 75th anniversary from his priesthood ordination.
Funeral Mass, led by the Bishop of Chioggia, Monsignor Angelo Daniel, was said at the Cavarzere Duomo on Friday, October 31, 2008, at 15 hrs., followed by interment inside the local cemetery.
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