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.”
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