Ugo De Censi facts for kids
Ugo De Censi Scarafoni (born January 26, 1924, in Polaggia, Italy – died December 2, 2018, in Lima, Peru) was an Italian Salesian priest. He became a Peruvian citizen and was the person who started Operazione Mato Grosso (which means Operation Mato Grosso). He worked as the main priest for the parish of San Martin Pope Chacas in Ancash, Peru, starting in 1976.
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Early Life and Calling
Ugo De Censi was born on January 26, 1924, in a small town called Polaggia, in Italy. His family was not rich, and he was the second of six children. When he was nine, he and his brother Ferruccio went to a Salesian school. This school was across the Adda River. It was there that both brothers decided they wanted to become Salesians, which is a religious group.
A Difficult Start
Life became hard for Ugo's family in 1940. His father went to fight in World War II, and his mother passed away. Around this time, Ugo became very sick. He had a bone disease called Pott's disease and had to stay in the Santa Corona hospital for several years.
Becoming a Priest
Later, Ugo went on a special trip to Lourdes, a famous religious place. People say that his health got much better after this trip. He was able to finish his studies. He studied theology, which is about religion, and political science. On March 8, 1951, he became a priest.
Helping Others: Operazione Mato Grosso
A very important part of Ugo De Censi's life was when he worked at the Salesian house in Arese, Italy. He stayed there for almost twenty years.
Starting a Big Project
In 1965, Ugo went to a big meeting for Salesians. There, he met Pedro Melesi. Pedro was a Salesian who worked in Latin America. Pedro told Ugo about the very difficult lives people had in Poxoreo, Brazil. Ugo invited Pedro to stay at his house in Arese. In the summer of 1966, Ugo and other volunteers went to Brazil to help Pedro. The next year, they built a youth center there.
Because their work was so successful, Ugo De Censi started a new organization. He called it Operazione Mato Grosso. It was named after the state in Brazil where Poxoreo is located. For ten years, Ugo traveled often between Italy and South America to support the volunteers.
Moving to Peru
To help people even more directly, Ugo De Censi moved to Peru. He settled in a town called Chacas.
Schools for Young People
In 1979, he opened the first school for carving wood. It was named after Don Bosco, who was the founder of the Salesians. This school welcomed children who were poor but willing to learn. The students lived at the school for five years. They received a place to sleep, food, and an education. Because these schools worked so well, Ugo also created similar schools for girls.
Building Hospitals and Homes
Ugo De Censi also built a hospital in Peru. The money for the hospital came from the Operazione Mato Grosso. He also got help from the Archdiocese of Milan in Italy to build a home for older people in Pomallucay. This home was officially opened by a famous religious leader named Carlo Maria Martini.
See also
In Spanish: Ugo de Censi para niños
