Bishop (July 14, 2003)
He was characterized by obedience to his superiors, concernfor the salvation of souls and typical Salesian optimism
Orestes Marengo was born in Diano d’Alba, a Piedmontese town in Cuneo province, on August 29, 1906. He attended the Salesian Sisters’ primary school for three years, where his love for Don Bosco grew after having learned about him from his parents, Lorenzo and Agostina Montaldo. Because of their wishes, Orestes continued on with his studies in Valdocco where he had the opportunity to get to know some first generation Salesians: Fr. Albera, Fr. Francesia and Fr. Rinaldi.
In the second year of his secondary studies, Providence saw to it that Fr. Stephen Ferrando came to the school as a temporary teacher, and would then leave shortly afterwards for India. Orestes also wanted to go to the missions. So he made his request to the Prefect General of the Congregation, Fr. Ricaldone, who sent him to Assam, in Shillong to make his novitiate.
Under Fr. Ferrando’s guidance, first as s teacher then as Rector of the studentate, Orestes visited the Indian villages, learning the local languages and livening up the festive oratories. During his theology studies he had the good fortune to be working with the parish priest in the Shillong community, Fr. Costantino Vendrame, from whom he learned much of the Salesian pastoral style: the “Da mihi animas” of Don Bosco was a primary motivation for missionary work.
On April 2, 1932, at Holy Redeemer Church in Shillong, Orestes was ordained a priest. From that moment he gave heart and soul to the task of visiting the villages in Northeast India. He travelled far and wide. He brought the Gospel message to thousands of families, helping them in every way possible. He immediately won the sympathy of the people, and spoke more than 20 local languages. He was a man of prayer, and was warm and welcoming as a person. He knew how to put people at ease with his kindly manner.
In 1951 he was appointed Bishop of the new diocese of Dibrugarh. He accepted in a spirit of obedience and was ordained on December 27, 1951 in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin. He continued visiting the villages, preaching and hearing confessions. In 1964 he was appointed as Bishop of Tezpur, and five years later was entrusted with the care of the future diocese of Tura. He resigned before time in order to give some room to a local bishop who was finally accepted by the Indian government. He spent the last years of his life carrying out an apostolate. He stayed for some time helping the new Bishop of Tura, looking for funds to support the diocese. He remained available for various tasks until his death in Tura on July 30, 1998.
Obedience to his superiors, concern for the salvation of souls and typical Salesian optimism were the most loved and evident characteristics of this fourth missionary Servant of God in Northeast India.
