On the evening of March 16, 2021, at 6.15 pm, strengthened by the last rites, the soul of our brother finished his Passover and entered into eternity.
Fr. Gaetano La Maestra was born 80 years ago in Villa S. Giovanni (RC). As a young man, he felt the call to the priesthood and, through some relatives who lived in Calvaruso (ME); he was presented to the local minister of the Sanctuary Gesù Ecce Homo in 1959. On March 17, 1963 he made his temporary profession in the same convent and later, in Sciacca at the basilica of San Calogero, he continued his high school studies. He completed his theological studies in Palma de Mallorca and Messina. On May 24, 1969, he was ordained a deacon by Bishop Giuseppe Bonfiglioli in the church of our college of S. Maria in Syracuse and, after a year, he was ordained a priest by Bishop Tortora on December 20, 1969 in our parish of the Sacred Heart at St. Lucia del Mela, where he produced his first priestly fruits as parochial vicar. In the provincial congregation of 1972, he was designated as local minister of the convent of Calvaruso and pastor of the parish of the same town. The latter office, he maintained uninterruptedly until his death.
A gentle and peaceful man, he tried not to displease anyone, practicing both in community and in the parish the way of dialogue, of tolerance, and of collaboration. As pastor he educated in the faith entire generations of the faithful, making himself close to his parishioners as a loving father.
At the Sanctuary, he was the local minister and treasurer several times. He exercised the ministry of reconciliation with knowledge, awareness and great humanity, encouraging, exhorting and instilling trust and hope in all. His brothers considered him a historian who revived, especially in the younger generations, the love for the priesthood and the Order.
As a good Franciscan, he practiced an austere and sober lifestyle. He was always grateful for the generosity of his parishioners, keeping nothing for himself, but giving everything to the poor and needy according to the different needs.
At the end of the month of January, he was diagnosed with a tumor that after a short time led him into the arms of Sister Death. He was lovingly assisted by the brothers, to whom, especially in the last days he imparted lessons of life, instilling courage and inviting everyone to persevere in their vocation. To the Minister General, who had communicated with him by phone some days before his death, he had renewed his desire to work for the Order and for the Province.
Despite the anti-COVID restrictions, that limited movement, there have been many people who have expressed condolences and solidarity, praising the beautiful qualities of Fr. Gaetano. Also welcome was the visit of the Archbishop of Messina, Giovanni Acolla, who was unable to preside at the funeral. The funeral was celebrated in the parish church of S. Margherita in Calvaruso on March 18, 2021 by the auxiliary bishop of Messina, Cesare di Pietro, in the presence of the Minister Provincial, Fr. Massimo Cucinotta, numerous brothers of the secular and regular clergy and so many faithful that accompanied the mortal remains to the nearby cemetery of Calvaruso to pay final respects.