The Eucharist and “his Madonna,” the Consolata, were the two “loves” with which St. Joseph Allamano spent many hours in prayer, allowing himself to be enlightened and inspired, so as to then be able to look at the people he met; the missionaries he trained; the precarious social situations to be transformed, with the merciful gaze of Jesus and the solicitude of Mary.
Consolata Missionaries who knew him say that while Allamano’s facial features might at first glance appear almost stern, the sweetness of his gaze, which expressed a profound serenity, inspired trust, confidence, and put everyone who met him at ease.
Brother Alfonso Caffo, welcomed by the Founder in 1921, missionary in Ethiopia, in 1936 commemorating Allamano, ten years after his death, nostalgically underlines:
“His figure is here before us with his features, but he is no longer there, with his sweet, gentle smile that inspired confidence, with his deep and searching gaze, which knew how to plumb the depths of the soul”.
Mother Nazarena Fissore, on January 29, 1985, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the Institute, wrote:
Contemplation at the foot of the tabernacle and at the feet of Mary formed his soul for the mission he was to accomplish. Who knows what passed through the Founder’s heart when he felt the gaze of the Living Christ penetrate the depths of his being!… what passion for God and for humanity to be saved! His eyes, accustomed to the gaze of the Eucharistic Christ, looked upon each person with kindness and respect, generating peace and relaxation. The first Sisters recall: ‘He always welcomed us with his sweet smile, enveloping us in the gentle glow of his paternal kindness.’ His kind gaze, made penetrating by the light of the Spirit, descended with exceptionally profound understanding into the heart of the person before him. Then suffering was softened and darkness dispelled: doubt was dissolved, and uncertainty gave way to serenity of spirit.
Saint Joseph Allamano loved and served the Diocese of Turin throughout his life, holding positions of great responsibility and giving his decisive support to bold apostolic initiatives in a very difficult social environment.
At the same time, his gaze extended far and wide, opening the horizons of Christian life to the universal and missionary dimension of the Church. The courage and strength to look beyond its boundaries and needs, to give a missionary dimension to the local Church and to point to ever broader horizons for proclaiming the Kingdom, flowed from his daily conversation with the Eucharistic Jesus and with Our Lady.
Therefore Allamano encouraged his Sons and Daughters to pause in prayer before his “two loves”:
Gazing at the Eucharist will train you in all the virtues and will light in you that fire that Jesus came to bring to earth, and which through you he wants to light in those who do not know him.
Trust in Our Lady. She is your Mother, love her. Without her, you cannot soar and walk in holiness.
Sr. Maria Luisa Casiraghi, mc
