Father Bruno Zanella
(AUGUST 27, 1909 - NOVEMBER 19, 1941)
Bruno Zanella, born on August 27, 1909 in Piovene di Vicenza, moves with his family to Povegliano di Treviso when he is seven years old. Very soon, however, with his father off to war, the Zanella family is forced to flee during "the Days of Caporetto," when the Austrians defeat the Italian army. Escaping during the night, Bruno, his mother, brothers and sisters, travel through Italy as refugees, until they are finally able to settle in Castelvetrano, in the Province of Trapani.
Once peace is restored, the Zanellas are able to return to Povegliano where they are reunited with their father. He, however, ravaged by the long years of war, dies in March of 1919.
The family is large and needs all the help it can get. As soon as he is finished with elementary school, Bruno becomes an apprentice mechanic. He works until late at night; yet before going to bed he never fails to remind his mother to wake him up in time to serve the Mass before going to work. His missionary vocation is born in work and prayer.
Just at this time, the bishop of Treviso, Andrea Longhin, offers the Institute for Foreign Missions the care of St. Martin parish, in the middle of the city, so that the rectory can become the site of a small seminary. Thus, on October 1, 1923 the missionaries of the Seminary for Foreign Missions open a minor seminary in Treviso, and Bruno Zanella is one of the first students.
Since he is not very accustomed to the use of pen and paper, Bruno does not find it very easy to study. Yet, if he has not been endowed with great academic ability, he makes up for it by force of will and a lot of common sense. These enable him to apply himself to his studies with seriousness and dedication, even though he also suffers from poor health, which often causes him to miss some lessons. Still, he succeeds in completing his seminary studies, not only with good grades, but also having won the sympathy and friendship of his classmates because of his openness and dedication.
In October of 1933, as a student of theology, he moves to Ducenta, to help out in the care of younger seminarians. Two years later, on September 21, 1935, in the Milan Cathedral, he is ordained a priest. The following year, Bruno writes to his family:
"I am going to China, the land of my dreams!" He is assigned to Kaifeng, the capital of Henan.
The missionaries will leave from different locations, depending upon their destinations, but a common departure ceremony is held on July 30, 1936 at St. Maria alla Fontana in Milan. Giuseppe Tacconi, bishop of Fr. Bruno's future mission, presides at the liturgy and confers the mission cross. On September 2, Fr. Zanella leaves from Genoa with two companions, heading for China.
An astute observer, he describes in his letters precise details about the places he sees during the journey and his own feelings. At Port Said, Suez, and Aden he is fascinated by the Muslim world; in Bombay, he stands open-mouthed before the "Tower of Silence," where the Parsi expose the bodies of their dead to birds; in Colombo, capital of modern- day Sri Lanka, he is disturbed to see a fanatic who, during a procession in honor of the divinity, throws himself under the wheels of a wagon, killing himself. And then there is a curious, and at the same time embarrassing, episode. In Shanghai, the customs official, worried about drugs entering the country, searches every foreigner, and discovers suspicious envelopes in Fr. Zanella's luggage. He insists on tasting the contents. When he does so, however, he finds that it is simply the powdered laxative which Fr. Bruno must always carry with him.
Finally, the three missionaries reach Kaifeng. Their hearts are filled with joy, and they would like to get to work right away. But, like everyone else, they must first tackle the language. Fr. Bruno spends an entire year at the regional house, studying Chinese. In his first letter to his mother, he writes:
"The tones you have to make to pronounce these characters are unimaginable ... sometimes the pronunciation is downright incomprehensible!" Still, in this effort too, his strong will sustains him, and at the end of the year he is able to converse relatively well.
In June the Chinese lessons are over and the students are anxious to receive their assignments. Bishop Tacconi calls in Fr. Zanella, and rather than sending him out to a mission district, assigns him to the city.
"The temperature is 100 degrees in the shade; no one dares to go outside in the afternoon. Even the farmers work only in the early morning and in the evening. In the city, all you do is sweat, drink tea, and fan yourself! I always keep my Chinese book at hand (this study is never really finished) and patiently bide my time."
In September Fr. Bruno is informed by the bishop that he will soon go to the mission of Fr. Filippin, as his assistant. But the plan is not carried out. The frequent raids of the brigands in that district worry the bishop, who does not want to expose Fr. Bruno, just 28 years old, to danger.
Seventy kilometers southwest of Kaifeng, the city of Zhongmou is already under the control of the Japanese, and the Chinese pastor of the Christian community there finds himself in a difficult position amidst the dissension between the Chinese and Japanese. Fr. Zanella is sent to help him and to defend him before the Japanese authorities.
After only six months, however, Fr. Bruno is given a new assignment. In the district of Yejigang Fr. Lanzano has been sick for some time, and needs medical attention, so the bishop sends Fr. Zanella there on a temporary basis. Even though he doesn't know how long he will be there, he begins immediately to visit and assist the Christian communities of his new district. In addition, he must go back and forth to the nearby city of Lanfeng to help the resident Chinese priest, who is being bullied by the Japanese. Fr. Bruno is able to develop a good relationship with the invaders. He opens a center for the sick and hungry in his residence, and puts at their disposal everything he possesses. The Japanese admire him so much that they contribute to the assistance of the refugees, sending numerous cases of army rations to them.
October 27, 1940. The missionaries have just finished their retreat and are about to receive their orders from the new superior, Bishop Antonio Barosi. Fr. Bruno is hoping to receive a permanent assignment.
The bishop has in mind for him the farthest and most difficult district, often afflicted by brigands and now flooded by the Yellow River: Dingcunji. Fr. Bruno knows that he is taking on a heavy burden, but he accepts.
"I responded with a forced yes," he writes to his mother, almost reproving himself for not having answered the bishop with more enthusiasm.
A grateful Bishop Barosi assigns Fr. Lazzaroni as his co-worker, promises to visit him soon, and assures him that he will find very good Christians there.
On November 6, 1940, after a long and difficult journey, he arrives at his mission. Wasting no time, he begins immediately to make an inspection tour of the different communities, accompanied by his assistant and his predecessor, Fr. Piccinini, who gives him the information he needs about the area.
They return to Dingcunji after 15 days, and Fr. Piccinini leaves for his new post. The two missionaries wait for Bishop Barosi, who is in Luyi for the centenary of the martyrdom of Blessed Perboye, to keep his promise. However, due to an urgent call to Shanghai, he must postpone his visit. So Frs. Zanella and Lazzaroni continue their visits of the Christian communities: by boat in the flooded areas, by bicycle, and on foot.
On January 13, 1941, Fr. Bruno leaves for Kaifeng, having been called by Bishop Barosi, who has just returned from Shanghai. Not yet up to making another long journey (it is 300 kilometers to Dingcunji), the bishop still wants to know how the work is going and to hear firsthand about the missionary life in the "district of the brigands, no man's land." Once again he renews his promise to visit.
Fifteen days later, Fr. Zanella returns to his mission and begins to prepare his people for the sacrament of confirmation, which Bishop Barosi will administer.
Finally it is November. It seems that there are no more obstacles to the arrival of the bishop; but Fr. Bruno, knowing the difficulties of the journey, hastens toward Luyi to meet him. On November 18, as he approaches the city, he finds the bishop and Fr. Zanardi already on their way, so he goes with them back to Dingcunji, where Fr. Lazzaroni is waiting.
Finally, the bishop is about to arrive.
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