An Endearing Master of Novices
We would like to close these 50 years of the re-birth of the Clerics Regular Minor with the story of a young priest, Father Igino Basilici, who was Master of Novic- es during the very trying years of World War II. He was bom in Rome on November 22, 1907 from Giuseppe and Rachele Santicchia, and, at an early age and victim of the war, he end- ed up as an orphan in the lnstitute of the “Artigianelli di San Giuseppe” in Rome, where our own Father Pietro Benvenuti of Sant’Angelo in Pescheria rninistered for many years after the exit from San Lorenzo in Lucina. Father Benvenuti had observed the goodness of the young man and, when he was assigned to Anagni as Master of Novices in 1919, invited him to come along and pursue reli- gious life with the Clerics Regular Minor.
Basilici entered the seminary in Anagni with the consent of the legal tutor, Maddalena Basilici. He studied at the diocesan seminary of Anagni and then at the Gregorian University of Rome. He was or- dained a priest on August 9, 1931 and was first parochial Vicar at our Guardian Angels Parish in Rome. In 1934 he applied for a Visa to the United States with destination to the Institute of Villa Lucia in Morris- town, New Jersey, and intending to reside in the U.S. permanently. The Order of the CRM would take care of all the expenses while hewas in the U.S. as a bona fide Minister. His Visa was not granted for medical reasons (perhaps for his poor eye vision). In 1937 Father Gabriel Lucarelli, crm, was sent to America in his place.
What seemed at first a setback for Father Basilici, proved later to be a blessing for the Order. In fact, from 1937 to 1944 Father Igino was made Master of Novices and formed a new generation of Clerics Regular Minor who lived until recently (one of them, Father Amedeo De Carlo, still living at 91). Those who knew him, especially his novices, at- test that he was an excellent priest for his human and spiritual qualities. He had a keen mind for studies, was quite adept in attracting young men to the Order and successful in the fields of music and painting.
Not much is found about him in the archives of the Order, because he died toward the end of World War II, a very confusing and dangerous time when there was no time for solemn funerals, eulogies and printed memorials. But he deserves much admiration and praise for having been faithful to the task during a very difficult time.
Thus, he wrote in his report on the House of Anagni to the Consulta Generale in 1942: “Even this year, as in the past, the situation of the College is satisfactory. There is communication among the priests, good will and good collab- oration on the part of the boys, except Gino Caciolo, dis- missed February 21, 1941, because he showed bad attitudes. Everybody is in good health, but for the case of Bro. Fer- ruccio (Valenzi), who recently passed away. The boys give good signs of vocation, considering their age of course; in the future there can always be possible surprises. Often our Fa- ther General (Florindo Monachesi) or Father Fiorello (Piersanti ) paid visits and they can give further information”.
“All the boys, as I said, give good hopes. I wish there was a greater spirit of piety, especially Eucharistic, and greater fra- ternal charity. For what regards the financial situation, it took uncommon efforts to survive with the meager subsidies which the Curia Generale sends for the boys, and we had to face many sacrifices. Fortunately, because of the goodness of several people, we did not suffer hunger or shortage after the Government rationing. We wish that so many sacrifices will not be in vain and that so many hopes will not be deceived.”
He then gives an appraisal of all the students in Anagni – 4 novices and 10 aspirants – who are under his and the other priests’ care.
Father Basilici died on March 13, 1944 in the Civil Hospital of Anagni following an appendix operation and other complications at age 37.