Don Gennaro Cespites, Missionary of the Precious Blood passed away on December 6, precisely on the feast of Saint Nicholas, patron saint of Bari and his land.

Don Gennaro was born in Cellamare, in the province of Bari, on August 12, 1930 and entered as a student of the Missionaries at age 10, thus becoming a Missionary of the Most Precious Blood on January 6, 1952, at the age of 22, and was ordained priest on July 5, 1953.

He was a priest for 67 years. In his missionary life, he combined his commitment and his spirituality, preaching many retreats and spiritual exercises, he was very committed to the mission in Tanzania, and made a decisive contribution in the construction of the St. Gaspar hospital in Itigi. He added to his philosophical and theological studies also a Bachelor of Arts and then a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Rome.

For about a decade he was also Vice-Moderator General of the Congregation and he spent his last years in the Provincial House of Via Narni and in the Albano Laziale Community. He was passionate about the spirituality of the Blood of Christ and the missionary spirit with the people and among the people. From heaven he continues to accompany his family, our Congregation, the Congregation of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, the Church, and all mankind. Thank you Don Gennaro!

Text: Don Giacomo Manzo, CPPS