The journey towards the beatification of Don Giovanni Puggioni begins, the Jesuit of Borore who has spent his life between missions in Africa and evangelization in Sardinia.
The Diocese of Cagliari informs that "on 26 October the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints granted Monsignor Giuseppe Baturi, Metropolitan Archbishop of Cagliari , the "Nulla Osta" for the start of the diocesan inquiry to collect evidence on the servant of God, Giovanni Puggioni”.
Born in Borore on 16 June 1922, he was consecrated a priest in Alghero on 12 August 1945. In the same year he entered the Society of Jesus. D after completing his theological training in Piedmont, he was then sent to Sardinia (Bonorva, Nuoro, finally Cagliari; where, in the San Michele residence, he would carry out the most fruitful part of his intense apostolate).
In the 1960s, as regional manager of the Student Missionary League, he began traveling to Zaire, accompanied by young volunteers. In 1973 he launched the "Operation Mosango" campaign which would lead to the construction of the pediatric ward, the so-called "Sardinia Pavilion" in Zaire. His missionary activity will continue in the following years with the establishment of the "Operation Africa Onlus" association, with which he has supported numerous Sardinian missionaries on various continents, and contributed to the creation of a series of schools and health facilities. Overall, he will make 18 missionary trips to various African countries.
After suffering a serious illness in 2003, he continued his ministry until February 18, 2009, the date of his death.
(Unioneonline/E.Fr.)
