ARGENTINA, Osvaldo Banille/org. On July 19, 2012, Coco Ricciardi, one of the Schoenstatt “great” ones in Mendoza and beyond, departed for the house of the Father. Speaking as a friend, we would say, “he was a great guy”; speaking as Christians, we would say he was a “tireless apostle.” Everywhere he went, along with his wife Iris, he spoke about the things of God, and he attracted people to the Church. The Rosary Campaign of the Pilgrim MTA was his great love and mission: His profile was “missionary” to the core. On the threshold of the Year of the Missionary current that many consider as the singular current of 2014 that will take Schoenstatt of the second century of its existence to be a missionary Schoenstatt, Coco Ricciardi will certainly untiringly increase the team of intercession, going on pilgrimage with the entire Family, like he did during his life.
We saw him evangelize: in mechanic shops when he sold tools from his truck; with the clients in his storeroom; in times of economic crisis, he worked gathering and selling glass bottles, and he indoctrinated youth in the leading video game rooms. In spite of his economic troubles, he never failed to attract people to the Father’ kingdom.
A missionary life
Along with Iris, they led a group of the Family Work at the beginning of the 80’s. “Since they did not have family in Mendoza, they acted as grandparents to our children when one of Mary’s needed it because of an illness or a birth,” the Banille related. They were leaders of the Family Work. They carried out a great task as coordinators of the Rosary Campaign, their enthusiasm was comparable to John Pozzobon’s. They worked untiringly for works in the Hall and the Retreat House of the Mendoza Shrine. On January 20, 2011, they celebrated the 25th Anniversary of Federation with their course, “Father’s symbol, joyful builders of family.”
The name of their Homeshrine: Missionary Nazareth says it all
When their economic situation improved, they were able to travel to Schoenstatt. They took a cruise through Europe, and there wherever they went “he chatted” with the waiters, tourists, the captain of the ship, whoever.
On the 2009 trip at what was then the Schoenstatt Press Office, they spoke for hours about the Campaign, their adventures as missionaries traveling through humble and faraway places to take the Pilgrim MTA, and along with Her the graces of the Shrine. They spoke between laughter and tears about the nights among mosquitoes and other bugs, in straw beds, and with very poor people, who, instantly and better than intellectuals, understood the mystery of Schoenstatt because they did not doubt; but rather, they received it joyfully and with humility. They spoke about 2014, the missionary current, the projects and also about the limitations. Even when facing serious health problems and inexplicable impediments, the conversation always ended with: “Do you know what we could do?”
A great one has departed
As Cecilia Cornacchia said, a “great one” has departed. The Lord willed the mortification of his painful illness, and he assumed his radiation and chemotherapy with determination. In the hospital, everything was reversed, he cheered the lives of the nurses who attended to him. During all that time, he never ceased to pray the rosary for the Schoenstatt work.
Farewell Coco, farewell beloved friend of my soul, I say ciao before tears prevent me from continuing to write. Now from heaven, we ask you, along with John Pozzobon, our Founder and Father and our beloved Blessed Mother to illuminate us with you example of life. (ob)
Coco, companion, missionary, friend, you continue, on pilgrimage and on mission with us. Now from heaven, you have all the means. Your covenant our mission. Do you know what we could do? (mf)
Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX, USA
