Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Grugliasco (Agenzia Fides) - Salesian Missionary Don Luigi Cocco was born in Grugliasco (Turin) February 12, 1910 and died in Turin on 11 February 1980. He is remembered for his intense missionary work conducted among Yanomami Indians of Venezuela, to whom he devoted 23 years of his life. He entered the Salesians at 18, was ordained a priest at 30, in 1940. After several years devoted to education, health and youth, and workers, his dream of going on a mission came true. So on 1 July 1951, leaves for Venezuela, where he spent his best energies among the Yanomami Indians in the Amazon territory, founding the mission “Santa Maria de los Guaicas.”
The indigenous Yanomami live in the tropical zone in Venezuela and the Brazilian Amazon, an area thick with vegetation. In the forest, the Yanomami build huts in small group clearings, beside which they grow different products using primitive farming methods. The nomadic life and the demands of hunting lead them to move and occupy large areas of territory with gold miners, adventurers and landowners, who do not hesitate to attack the natives to exterminate them if necessary, as has occurred on various occasions. In the Venezuelan Amazon forest, there are an estimated 19 ethnic groups of indigenous peoples.
Don Luigi Cocco adopted a lifestyle of complete sharing with the lives of the Yanomami: in work, in celebration, in grief, in everyday life. Drawing from his experience, he wrote a book about life, culture and traditions of the Yanomami people, which was praised by many scholars. In 1961 he was handed the "Francisco de Miranda" Medal in 1966 was awarded the Cross of the Venezuelan Air Force and later also received the diploma of "Friend of Venezuela". Having returned to Italy for health reasons, he continued to tour the peninsula, holding debates, meetings and conferences to raise awareness and help these brothers of the Yanomami.
"The Yanomami Tribe, in the heart of the forest, he carried out an impressive work of civilization and evangelization,” said Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone during the Eucharistic celebration presided over Saturday, November 7th in the birthplace of Fr. Cocco. “Twenty years of hard work, through illness and seven surgeries were needed to bring basic education and to teach them how to work. Together with fellow Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, led by Sister Magdalene Mosso, he has given rise to many initiatives of human development." (SL) (Agenzia Fides 9/11/2009)
