Italian Version

Extract from "The Guide"
Pubblication of Nigeria Federation of Catholic Student, School of Nursing, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital - Enugu

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SIGNS FROM HEAVEN

On Saturday October 7th, 2000, he was introduced to a Government Commissioner named Anike F., who, knowing his story, invited him to go with him to a village in Imo where Our Blessed Lady had appeared to a woman called Marylyn, hoping he could be comforted. They left in the early afternoon of the same day and arrived in Obowo at about sic o'clock. They met the seer and she told them that Our Lady had appeared to her on Friday during the vigil in the presence of more than a thousand people. Since it was late and the Commissioner was very tired, they decided to stop there for the nightly vigil and to leave the day after (Sunday October 8th). Sabino took advantage of the situation and asked the seer to pray for him and to ask Our Lady, when she appeared, if she had something to tell him. Naturally he couldn't take part in the celebration of S. Francis, and when he returned he found everybody very worried about him because they didn't know where he had been. Sabino immediately noticed that there were no children. They had been taken away by a member of the Committee and by a young woman from the Piccola Opera dell'Amore. They were to be sent to another institution. So Sabino began to see the undoing of the institution he had founded. It was only a question of time that everything would end. At that point, everybody understood that there was no way of comforting him and none could understand how he could bear so much bitterness, humiliation, suffering and wickedness - physically as well as no rally. His physical condition grew worst and worst with a lose of 12 kilos; he was hardly able to stand on his two feet. I forgot: on September 24th Sabino wrote a letter addressed to the administration in Biella, but it was not posted; infect it was closed in an envelope and given to Father Bernardino; at the sometime, he felt that God wanted him to build a shrine in the garden in honor of Mary and Jesus, even if it seemed ridiculous since he was selling the home. On October 13th Sabino was worn out, morally as well as physically,so he decided to go to the hospital of Opus Dei named “Niger Institution” for a visit. After many exams, they found he was suffering from malaria and anemia. They gave him medicines for his malaria, the strongest on the market, along with other medicines. His body, already weak and worn out, was like a leaf in the wind. While Mr. Idigo, an estate agent, was bringing some buyers to see the home on sale, Sabìno was telephoning other agents. At this point as well as Father Bernardino, thought that Sabino was going to close the home for ever. In the meantime, that Nigerian committee member of the Piccola Opera was fighting, in every possible way, against Sabino in order to destroy him and his mission. In the middle of all this, a person called Policarpo introduced Sabino to the Passionist Community which had recently been established in Enugu and was looking for a home to buy, suitable for their needs. So Sabino met Brother Thaddeo, a Nigerian who had attended nursing school in Rome. After learning about Sabino's situation, reading his story, seeing the video tapes and visiting the institution, he was convinced that this Opera was the will of God and he told Sabino that something was certain to happen so that the home would not be closed. He spoke to him about his experiences and other missionary homes in Africa directed by Father Jaselli in Camerun. So Sabino thought that if it was God's will, with the money obtained from the sale of the home and with Father Sergio Jasellil's help, he could open a missionary home in Camerun, so, without losing time, he sent a fax to Father Sergio While this was being done, that member of the committee had convinced the last girls at the Opera to leave. Infact on October 24th, everybody had left except one girl who was willing to do the housework for a few hours a day. Greatly depressed, the founder was practically all alone in the institution that was falling apart. His malaria continued to torment him; the only consolation he received was attending Mass, when he could, and receiving Holy Communion. At this point Father Bernardino gave him back the letter that Sabino had given him; which was to be opened when he left. While everythíng was falling apart he continued his work on the Shrine in the garden, trying to finish it as quickly as possible, even if everybody laughted at him; ONE AGAINST ALL Even Father Bernardino advised him to stop because he was about to leave and because the buyer of the home, if he wasn't Catholic, would destroy it. Sabino answered; “Even if I have to leave, you, Blessed Lady will remain here "In the meantime Sabino started to pack and say goodbye (by phone) to the few people who had remained faithful, among which was Prof. Oliver Anovo, who had been his interpreter on many occasions. When Prof. Oliver heard that Sabino was selling the institution and returning to Italy, he told him he would drop by to hear what had happened. Meanwhile Sabino's potential buyers came to see Sabino about the institution. When Prof. Oliver heard what had happened and how much Sabino had suffered, he told him that he believed the institution was God's will and therefore it couldn't fail so badly. He encouraged Sabino to wait a little longer. Although the situation was already so difficult, Sabino, on Oct, 25th received a phone call from Italy informing him that his wife Ileana, after a breast echograph, had a tumor and had to have an urgent consultation. In order not to worry the family, Sabino had never told them about his malaria; now although he was not well, he had another serious problem on his hands. Not knowing what to do he asked Father Bernardino, who advised him to take care of him self before returning to Italy. By then there were no words of comfort for him, but he continued to be serene, calm and strong to face everything. After his wife's visit at Istituto Oncologico Europeo in Milan, the doctors said she had a malicious tumor and that she had to be operated immediately. Then his children phoned him and told him to leave at once. At that moment, not being able to do anything else, Sabino prayed, asking Our Lady to help him and tell him what to do. At acertain point he seemed to hear these words “Don' worry about your wife. Everything will be okay. By then the shrine had been finished. ON October 30th 31st and November 1st the two estate agents brought people,who seemed interested, from Lagos and Abuja to see the home. Then Prof. Oliver phoned Sabino telling him that on November 2nd a person would arrive, who wanted to meet him. Therefore Sabino, even if he wasn't well received this person and answered all his questions. Afterwards the person presented herself as the President of the non government association Belle Afrique and told Sabino that she thought that the institution was inspired by God and that it shouldn't be closed and assured Sabino that she would speak with her partners on Sunday November 5th and then she would contact Prof. Oliver letting him know the possibility of a collaboration. An incredible solution On Monday November 6th Sabino received the visit of the director of the Women Affairs Ministery for a meeting with the participation of Prof. Oliver and Father Bernardino and the discussion was on whether the Government could accept as guarantee a non government Nigerian association. The answer was positive; as long as it was a serious and well - known institution. At this point they wanted to know if the Belle Afrique Association could be suitable. The answer was yes because the government considered its members as people worthy of trust and esteem. The meeting adjourned with the hope of not having to close the institution; on that day Sabino received two phone calls: the first from the estate agent Idigo who told him that on Tuesday November 7th, in the afternoon, some people from Abuja would arrive to buy the institution. The second from Prof. Oliver who told him that the Administration Committee of Belle Afrique, with the president, would arrive to define their collaboration with the Piccola Opera dell'Amore; Non November 7th Sabino received a call from his wife telling him that on November 14th she would be operated in Milan at Istituto Oncologico Europeo. In the meantime on the morning of November 7th Sabino welcomed the representatives of Belle Afrique along with their president Mrs. Patricia Nwankwo, Prof. Oliver and Father Bernardino. They spoke for some time and reached an agreement on two fundamental questions: the propriety and the management of the Piccola Opera dell'Amore were acknowledged. Then the president of Belle Afrique asked what had been established be legalized and sign ed by the lawyers in the presence of the two associations and the two presidents, the treasurer of Belle Afrique and Prof. Oliver so that the agreement would be official. In the afternoon when the possible buyers for the home along with Mr. Idigo arrived, Sabino asked them to make an offer and since it was too low he said he longer wanted to sell. Immediately they doubled the amount and said i they would make out a check for the entire amount at once, even offering more if Sabino insisted on a higher offer; but he said he was sorry but he couldn't conclude the sale because he had to inform the Administration Council and therefore he had to postpone everything until the following week. That same day two qualified nurses arrived in order to form the new community of Piccola Opera dell'Amore ( they were from the 3rd Franciscan Order ) and on the same evening Sabino phoned the Government Commissioner, On. Onike, asking him if he knew any honest lawyer who could safeguard the interests of the Institution according to the agreement made with the Belle Afrique. He told him there was a good lawyer who was a bishop's (of Enugu) brother and that he would present him to Sabino on the 8th after the Mass celebrated in the brothers'covent. As established, infact, Sabino met lawyer Z.C.Anyogu Esqr. who after hearing about the story from Father Bernardino and what should be written out, accepted without being paid because he thought that the Institution was GodIs will. Sabino went to the travel agency and bought his plane ticket for Italy, fixing the date for November 14th. On Friday the 10th an important meeting was held with all the representatives of the two associations, the lawyers, Father Bernardino and Prof. Oliver. The agreement made out by the lawyers was read; in conformity to what had been established orally and according to Sabino's requests. It was then signed. The Association Belle Afrique would see that Sabino was given Residence Premis and for Monday November 13th he would receive an invitation letter for his passport visa for his next trip. On Sunday November 12th Sabino definitely finished the shrine that was very beautiful. On Monday November 13th the government official arrived at Piccola Opera dell'Amore and Sabino gave him a copy of the signed agreement which was received with great joy and emotion. Father Bernardino arrived in the morning with the letter that Sabino had given him at the end of September; in a sealed envelope telling him to give it to him before leaving for Italy. Sabino opened the letter in his presence and read it. Among the various things that were written there was this sentence: “Even this time salvation arrived at the last moment; the Opera will go on”. Father Bernardino was quite taken by the contents of this letter which had been written on September 24th and it clearly preannounced the facts which would have happened some months later. Sabino, to prove the truthfulness of the contents and dates,asked Father Bernardino to sign the letter which he immediately did. In the afternoon, when the President of the Opera, Prof. Oliver, the secretary, the Treasurer, the Government Commissioner and Father Charis arrived to consign the letter of invitation necessary for the entry visa on his passport, Sabino thanked everybody and said goodbye, apologizing for not being able to find the right words to express his joy. He left on November 14th and arrived in Milan. He immediately went to see his wife. He was told by his son and the doctors that everything had gone well and that his wife could return home the day after. So the four and a half months spent in Nigeria ended in a vistory, even n941w Mary's victory; thus giving everyone a sign of Her power and once again confirming that the Opera was Her Opera.