Orphaned, his father died when he was 4, his mother sent him to the nuns to study. He meets the Salesians in Ferrara, where he attends middle school. At the San Bernardino aspirantate, in Chiari (Brescia), he began his Salesian formation path, which led him to study in Rome at the Salesian University during the years of the Second Vatican Council.
“Little by little the missionary vocation matures,” he says. “In the 3rd year of study in Rome, on Sunday I go to a suburban parish together with a Salesian priest who has already done an internship in Central Africa: he 'infects' me a little with his mal d'Afrique. The definitive impulse comes to me from Paul VI: when he canonizes the martyrs of Uganda, on October 18, 1964. I was present in St. Peter's and I listen to him as he says that Africa opens its doors to Christ and launches an appeal to missionary vocations. A few days later I write the application to leave for Congo.”
He arrived in the country on 21 September 1966, returned to Italy to complete his theological studies, but asked not to be ordained a priest immediately. “I knew I was going back to Africa; after so many years living in formation houses, I wanted to prepare for ordination in a house of 'normal' active life in contact with the Congolese people who, in my opinion, had to participate in 'calling me' to the priesthood.”
He then returned to Congo, worked and was ordained a priest. He spent practically his entire Salesian life in Lubumbashi, Goma and, since 2015, Bukavu, where he is sent as Director of the community. “We have opened a vocational school for young people in street situations, with workshops for automobile mechanics, fitting and welding, carpentry and masonry.”
An oratory was soon built at the work, open every day for local children. And, thanks to the availability of the Archbishop of Bukavu, a project in favor of children at risk is now also active on the outskirts of the city.
The activities of Fr Gavioli and his brothers in Bukavu are an effective testimony for many. The Salesian missionary concludes: “The presence of the Salesians attracted various young people who expressed their desire to become Salesians. And some adults also prepared themselves for the promise of Salesian Cooperators.”
More information on www.missionidonbosco.org.
