Remembering the patron saint of the jungle

Deepa Bharath

The people of the jungle called Father Rudolfo Toigo “padre” with a

lot of affection and reverence.

Toigo came from Italy to Ecuador about 38 years ago to work for

the Roman Catholic Church, which has a large base in Macas.

His mission was to convert the local Shuar Indians to Catholicism.

But when someone asked him a year ago about the number of people he

converted, the padre simply replied: “I’m still working on my first

one.”

When the medical team from Plasticos Foundation visited the Amazon

in November, Toigo was their link to the native tribes. He was their

interpreter. He was their guide, for he knew the jungle like he knew

his Bible. He was also their dear friend, quick to bring out the

grappa for a hearty toast when the time was right.

The team’s visit this year was dedicated in memory of the padre,

said team leader Larry Nichter. Toigo died suddenly in March of a

heart attack at age 61.

“During our last visit, we were very impressed with the

compassionate relationship he had with the people,” he said. “There

was no difference between the padre and the people. This was his home

and this was his family.”

The padre came to convert the Shuars, but instead he became one of

them, Nichter said.

During their last trip to Tukupi, the team got stranded in the

jungle overnight because their bush plane broke down.

“Even as we were panicking, Father Rudolfo was smiling,” said team

coordinator Denise Cucurny. “He said, ‘Why do you worry? Put your

hearts to peace. You don’t need a hotel. This, right here, is the

hotel of a thousand stars.’”

That was just who he was -- witty yet profound, childlike in

manner yet lofty in intellect.

“It was his hope and desire that we expand our operations,”

Nichter said. “Especially to serve the underserved areas of not only

this country, but others as well.”