Note: this is written by late Father Alfredo Picchioni in 1979 Salesian Priest 1905-1979  Father Natale Del Mistro After finishing his gymnasium he asked to be allowed entry in novitiate and go abroad as missionary. He was sent to the middle-east Province.He completed his Novitiate period at Cremisan (Palestine) on December 8, 1925?, his first religious profession was received by the Most Reverend Father Salvatore Puddu. In Bethlehem he completed his philosophy studies. As a Brother, careful and painstaking, good-natured and steadfast, he worked in Alexandria and Suez, during his training period.He prepared the first book on religious customs and prayers (now the second edition up-to-date and more complete), the texts of Sunday rites, the sacred history, the four Gospels’ translation and some other translations; he edited a Persian-Italian and Italian-Persian dictionary (today the second edition), most valued particularly by Italian people who work in Iran and by Iranian students who attend studies in Italy. Fr. Del Mistro ’ s writing style was simple, clear and unaffected, particularly fit for young and common people’s minds. To them were addressed his publications.
It is impossible to map out all activities and outline dear Fr. Natale’s personality in this short letter announcing his death.I shall confine myself to quote the words of Reverend Fr. F. Laconi, former supervisor and his intimate friend. Words that seem to me to summarize and complete the spiritual portrait of our brother.“As I have known about him, Fr. Natale was a great Salesian: a man of prayer and deep inner life, rectilinear and all substance, of reliable loyalty. His capacity to suffer was outstanding during the events, even more unpleasant of his ministry in the Parish, together with Fr. Streit. I saw for myself his spirit of obedience and respect to the Authority.He has been a good and faithful servant, mild nature and easy to emotion. Reserved and shy, he was afraid of offending God and brethren, was in favour of the discipline and sound tradition.”“Fr Natale passed leaving so much nostalgia and desire, so much regret in how many knew , loved him, we have drawn from the living source of his advice, of his wisdom and experience and of his frankness” (Mgr. Bugnini). Have said the same words all those, many, who, moved have attended the funeral service and the solemn funeral celebrations of seventh and thirtieth day after death. Now he rests among his parishioners in the Catholic cemetery in Doulab Tehran.
We loved him in life and continue even after death, remembering him fraternally in our prayers.Please, remember all other Salesians working in Iran and all their deeds, so that the Lord in these times particularly difficult and delicate may grant a particular assistance and protection and may prompt generous souls to come and fill the gaps, which are becoming more and more numerous and frequent.
Yours most devoted in D.B. (Don Bosco) Fr Alfredo Picchioni, Director and Parish priest.
PARISH CHURCH “LA CONSOLATA”TEHRAN
December 1 1979, - " Faculty Biography - The information on the fathers was requested and received by Robert Dabaghian from Salesian archives in Rome, Mr. Stefano Muro kindly undertook the task of translation from Italian to English. "
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