ENGLISH

“Early joys of priestly ministry”

Sent to Cattolica, he began an outstanding priestly service at the San Pio V church. It was a demanding setting with plenty to encourage his efforts. Over this period he reflected much on why many souls are lost, and nurtured heartfelt feelings of sympathy and humanity

He was called back to military service in 1915, and asked to serve as a military chaplain. Much to the disappointment of his parishioners and family, he asked to be sent to where war was raging more fiercely. There he committed himself to his noble service, celebrating Mass on the battlefield, consoling and encouraging soldiers, being there to hear their final words. The episode in which he assisted one soldier condemned to death was one Fr Cavoli never forgot. It only increased his desire to save souls.

When war was over he was given an extraordinary welcome by his parish priest and the faithful who awaited his return to San Giovanni in Marignano, but he felt a new call, now that he had challenged death on behalf of his country. In order to discern this call, he made a retreat at the Convent of the Brothers of the Precious Blood in Rimini.

The sense of the responsibilty for the vineyard of the Lord gradually took possession of my conscience. A priest finds it very consoling to see the church crammed with people, Holy Communions without end, the Confessional crowded with penitents, but even so he cannot but think of those others who feel no need to come and make use of his ministry. And he cannot remain in peace, in conscience, until he has done everything possible, I don't say to bring all to salvation ... there will always be those who resist grace ... but to have his fatherly invitation reach all, and to give to all the practical means not to distance themselves from the Father's House, or to make them return penitent, after their aberration.

(Autobiography, And the others?)



My conscience whispered: “The Priest is not a Priest for himself, but for others. His life belongs to him only to serve those in need of him.”

(Autobiography, The Priest is not for himself, but for others)



I began that Retreat determined to decide my definitive future, and placed myself under the protection and guidance of Our Bl. Lady. There, seventeen years earlier, I had knelt on my way into the Seminary, and had subsequently had so may proofs that She had taken me under Her mantle. I had reason, therefore, to confide in Her. In the end, I said to Her: “Oh, Mary, light up my way.”(…) After a week of reflection, in prayer and following a kind of missionary dream, the light shone in my spirit. “I will become a religious in order to go as a Missionary !”

(Autobiography, Now or never)