Superior from 1970 - 1980
In the XI general chapter (1969-70) Don Olimpio Giampedraglia was elected, reconfirmed in the following one (1976). He died in office in 1980. His commitment was the implementation of the conciliar requests and the chapter decisions, above all of the special general chapter (1969-70). We owe him the promulgation of new texts of Constitutions and regulations, the establishment of religious provinces, the transfer of the general house and the theological studentate to Rome, the specialization of the confreres and works and the start of new activities (Palencia, in Spain; Nazareth, in Palestine).
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Biographical notes Born in S. Cassiano (SO), on March 14, 1915 Entered Fara Novarese (NO), on 14 October 1925 Professed in Fara Novarese (NO), on 14 September 1932 Priest in Como, 24 September 1938 Deceased in Rome, December 5, 1980 |
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Don Olimpio arrived in Fara when he was ten years old, and had completed his "lower grade elementary studies", that is, the third class. Back then, in small towns, there wasn't that much; but they were demanding third parties, where reading and arithmetic played a very important and formative part. He had lost his mother since he was only one year old; his father had died when he was one and a half old. The loved ones, to whom to refer, were the grandmother, an aunt and brother Lorenzo Attilio, three years older. On the school benches, his teacher Maria Trussoni had looked after him with particular attention and the parish priest Don Antonio Zubiani had been insistently interested in having him accepted: the good qualities, which already stood out, could blossom into a valid vocation. He had all the air of a little mountaineer, with knee breeches; his simplicity was coupled with vivacity and above all goodness. Immediately enrolled in the gymnasium courses, he kept pace with the others who, despite having a better basic preparation; it took a few years to highlight his talents and achieve that profit which would have placed him above all others. It's that his lively intelligence went hand in hand with his constant commitment.
In 1930 he entered the novitiate, then still in Fara. He didn't represent a normal step forward, he marked a milestone. The decision with which he faced this period of intense formation was clear to all: exemplary in the observance of the Rules, even the most minute ones, those in which the novices are more easily out of the way, for example that of silence. With a rapid growth, he arrived at the profession, confirming the determined intention of «wanting to dedicate myself to the priesthood in the same religious state that I embrace». For his high school and philosophical studies he attended, always brilliantly, the episcopal seminary of Como, with residence in the Mother House. Then he went down to Rome, to attend the theological courses at the Urbaniana University of Propaganda Fide. The time available, what he could have reserved for just relief, he dedicated to the good-children of the annexed shelter that housed him. He arrived at the priesthood having attended university for three years, with a double pontifical dispensation: six months before the canonical age and for not having yet begun the fourth year of theology. For his studies she had already earned a silver and a gold medal, which he will offer to Our Lady as a filial and grateful homage. In fact, the seriousness with which he applied himself was admirable: in five years he prepared his licentiate and degree in theology, he enrolled in the faculty of canon law at the Gregorian University and obtained his licentiate and degree. The result: Summa cum laude.
Meanwhile, his superiors began to entrust him with some tasks: prefect of students and assistant to the attorney general in 1943; two years later, those of second councilor of the house, rector of the minor seminary and vice-postulator general. In particular, the Superior General entrusted him with the animation of the large community, recommending that he make up for the negligence and remove the inconveniences. Before a year had passed, they recalled him to the North, entrusting him with the direction of the house of Barza and the formation of the numerous novice and professed clerics. To be their teacher he was not of the canonical age: they asked him and obtained the necessary dispensation. Four large notebooks, fortunately preserved, of conferences and sermons to clerics, highlight the clarity of his line, in the effort to form good Guanellian religious. To those who lacked decision, he advised the other way.
- You discharge too many,” a brother pointed out to him.
- I've never sent anyone away - was the serene answer -; they withdrew on their own.
He had helped them with his wise advice in choosing. Because he was truly a man of advice, equipped with acumen, prudence and above all with the Spirit of God. The confreres knew this well who, six years later, in the eighth General Chapter of the Congregation, elected him to be part of the position of secretary. His transfer to Como was logical, by his decision, even against the advice of the Superior General. The work that awaited her was so much: guide to the formation sector of the Congregation and Past Pupils' Associations, the compilation of the «Charitas»; also assistance to many Guanellian and non-Guanelli female communities, vocational days and preaching.
The following chapter, the ninth, re-elected him with the same duties. In the tenth however, celebrated in Barza between 20 and 23 July 1964, he was not re-elected. He had the appointment as Attorney General, but he thought it best to decline it. God's plans later manifested themselves: for the government of the Congregation, he needed more immediate contact with the activities and realities of the Work. At the moment he was disturbed by it, seeing in it a kind of rejection of his person of him. But he overcame his virtue and cheered up. He remained in Como until November, in compliance with the orientation of the Chapter not to proceed with the transfer of the confreres except for urgent and truly indispensable cases, until the Beatification of the Founder. This was imminent and it was a great joy for him to be able to participate: he was the father of his spirit and of his religious family, he was the fellow fellow. The year 1965, wanted as a Guanellian year, saw the celebrations prolonging: the urn, with the body of the new Blessed, was venerated and celebrated in all the towns of the diocese. Don Olimpio was one of the most tireless companions and the most requested preachers, to illustrate their life, spirituality and charity. Meanwhile, as soon as the new Council was able to take on its normal rhythm, he saw himself as superior in Anzano, in the community of the minor seminary. The following year they also entrusted him with the economy. He took care of the young aspirants, especially animated the religious community, then of fifteen confreres, striving to give it a tone of unity and joy. He repeated the same in Milan, where he was sent for the following three years. He asked to entrust to others the parish care, which had been jointly offered to him; many other problems absorbed him regarding the two Guanellian Congregations, one for men and one for women, of which, in the meantime, he had been appointed consultor. He left much of the educational work to his direct collaborators. He had to attend to the preparation of the special Chapter: and the government and formation commissions required him to study personally and consult experts. The Chapter opened on 7 October 1969 and took place in two sessions, the first in Gazzada (Villa Cagnola) and the second in Rome (Spanish College). Don Olimpio was elected moderator - it was the first time that this figure entered into action - and he emerged as Superior General.
It is beyond these notes to mention his work in carrying out his mandate.
We will remember:
- the desire for fidelity, received as a consignment from the mouth of the Pope; - contact with the confreres in the houses of Italy and abroad: he dedicated a total of 241 days to these;
- the implementation of chapter resolutions, such as the transfer of the general house and then of the theological seminary to Rome;
- the constitution of the Provinces; the drafting, approval and publication of new constitutional texts;
- the first provincial chapters, the first consultation, the canonical visitation.
The following General Chapter, which took place in Ariccia, from 7 July to 3 August 1976, re-elected him with a plebiscitary vote, on the first ballot. He accepted, in accordance with God's will: Fiat Voluntas Tua, he wrote in the diary of the Masses. He resumed his "service of love", with the same style and the same rhythm. But the ailments began early the following year: a kidney stone, which was resolved only with surgery; a painful glaucoma in the left eye, also cured with a long period of therapy in the hospital. Then, the last great evil, the tumor of the kidney, already in metastasis, which will nail him to the bed, crucified with his Lord. He was diagnosed in Argentina and manifested itself with fatigue, premature aging, heavy bleeding. Back in Rome, emergency hospitalization was necessary, he closed himself in the Gemelli Polyclinic, where, after five months of excruciating pain, with two useless operations, he died serenely. If great virtue had always appeared as a reflected light of his spirit, this, in sickness and in death, shone in all his splendor. The serenity never lost, the heroic acceptance of pain, the abandonment to the will of the Father said the high degree of perfection achieved. He wanted to shut himself up in his house, to give thanks for the Guanellian vocation, poor among the poor, so loved and lovingly served. Among his latest recommendations: «The Lord is still too hungry today; be generous with the poor, with the hungry of the Third World. We have too much money..., give..., give!». Here is the echo of the Gospel and of the Founder's teaching: the great masters of his life, on whom he had modeled his exceptional figure as a priest and as a Guanellian.