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Saint Joseph Moscati the Holy Doctor from Naples * 1880 - 1927 5 - Un unforgettable Teacher Antonio Tripodoro s.j. - Egidio Ridolfo s.j. |
Un unforgettable Teacher --
The witnesses of his Students -- What did Moscati’s colleagues think of him?
Moscati "a man like us" - University teaching qualification in 1922.
Un unforgettable Teacher
Notwithstanding his renounce to the university teaching, Moscati always was a professor and a teacher. Even though he chose to cure the patients, he didn’t renounce to the teaching. He had particular gifts for the teacher ‘s work and joined a strong preparation with the desire for renovation. He had a passion for research, an innate curiosity for the new, the capacity of ranging over all the fields of Medicine without trespassing on others sectors of specialization, being aware of their possibilities and limits.
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Besides, he combined the expressiveness of his face with an extraordinary power of persuasion. Moscati was a communicative person with noble and distinguished features, in other words, a handsome man.
From a letter written by Dr. Moscati to Dr. Francesco Pentimalli
"I believed that all the deserving young, who started their noble medical profession… had the right to improve themselves, reading in a book which is not printed, but whose cover is made up of the hospital beds and the laboratory rooms, and whose content is formed of painful men and scientific material, a book that has to be read with endless love and great sacrifice for our neighbours.
I thought that my duty was to teach to the young, without keeping secret our own experience, but revealing it to them…"
Felice Piccinini - "Sometimes Dr. Moscati looked very tired but as soon as he noticed the presence of his friends, especially of his students, the smile came back to his face. […] He was able to attract crowds of young students who regarded him as their ideal Christian teacher. Though Moscati continually dealt with positive sciences and reached the highest standards in them, he thought the beauty and grandeur of nature were the work of a Supreme Power, the wisdom, the order of an Almighty Supreme God he used to call Divine Providence."
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Enrico Polichetti - "It is as if I saw him once again before me, I daresay, so smart and self-confident. But I did not mean to hurt His Dear Memory when I said it. I remember distinctly His childlike simplicity and his look so meek, tender and relaxed, full of spirituality, guileless and deep.
He had lovely and little eyes. They were shining, lively, expressive, sometimes restless and even aggressive, smiling and inspiring confidence. He wore oval-shaped spectacles - the left lens was a little bit out of alignment - with a thin steel frame that seemed to fit exactly his eye-sockets. His nose was regular and sharp, almost pointed and he had grey moustaches, which he used to pat with his left hand. […]
He was quite charming: a straight rather slim and distinguished figure with refined noble bearing. A harmonious whole that contributed to his popularity: people accepted, appreciated and loved him. His whole personality, his oval face made him a handsome man. All people knew him in Naples as a distinguished noble gentleman but his nobleness was particularly in his spirit and behaviour.
Soccorso Tecce - "He formed with his students a kind of spiritual family: he shared with them the wealth of his knowledge. In those daily contacts and close familiarities, he shaped not only our minds but also our spirit. Often he talked to us about God, Divine Providence, his Christian faith: his face brightened with joy when we accompanied him to Mass in many churches of Naples."
What did Moscati’s colleagues think of him?
Domenico Pace, at the death of Dr. Moscati, offered heartfelt condolences on behalf of all the doctors of the Neapolitan Province, of the Council of the Association of Hospital employees and of the University’s staff.
"Dr. Moscati – he said – not only preached but also practised virtues. We know, the word may have disappeared from our dictionaries, but it was not an empty word for him. The virtue was not shrouded in shadows and hypocrisy but it was a very concrete reality made of suffering, sacrifices, renunciation and self-control, as virtue like wisdom is the outcome of a painful process."
Antonio Cardarelli, in 1911, was a member of the Board of Examiners for the post of Director of the United Hospitals of Naples. Eugenio Moscati declared: "When the scientific contribution of my brother was read he was asked to drop the imposed veil of anonymity. The suggestion had come from the late Dr. Cardarelli, a member of the Commission. At first Dr. Moscati refused: later on he yielded to the insistence of his colleagues who carried him in triumph. It was on this occasion that Cardarelli said he had never met a young man like my brother in all his 60 years of teaching. After that he was very fond of him so Joseph became his doctor in charge."
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Pietro Castellino, held Moscati in high esteem. In turn, Dr. Moscati paid many visits to help him to get back his faith. At the death of Moscati, Dr. Castellino in the funeral oration, made a comparison between the future Saint and the great old man, Dr.Cardarelli, passed away on 8th January, that year. He read also a letter of Moscati and exclaimed: "Oh! What a noble heart! Such a tender lovable creature was like a son to me! The purity, the meekness of your life, your austere figure of educator, the faith in the evangelical mission of your profession […], make us realize that Medicine was really a Holy science you embraced as your cross!"
Filippo Bottazzi, met Moscati in 1905. He went with him to the Convention of Edinburgh in 1923. He wrote about him: "As far as I’m concerned, Dr. Moscati is the best example of that love described in the first epistle to the Corinthians, chapter 13: he was patient, kind, not envious, not boasting of his extraordinary talents and of the wealth of his knowledge, not unkind or selfish. On the contrary, he was extremely generous to those in need, not irritable, suspicious, or yielding to injustice, an ardent seeker of truth, indulgent, a fervent believer.
Deeply religious, sincerely faithful and constant practising, he never made a show of his feelings and he never neglected to take care, together with bodies, even souls, and to help them to reach that light which shone from him and to him from impenetrable depths."
Gaetano Quagliariello, got the physiological chemistry chair when Moscati renounced. He wrote some lovely words about his friend and colleague: "The hospital became his home, his love, his temple. On the contrary, his house was a place of pilgrimage where people of all conditions, coming from Naples and all Southern Italy, used to flock; they came to him as to their last home, often healed not only in body but in soul as well. Renown, popularity, fame which he would shun as worldly passion, caught up with him in spite of his humility."
Pasquale Malerba, tutored the thesis of young Moscati. It was highly appreciated and judged worthy of publication. Professor Quagliariello remarked that young Moscati led his tutor from materialism back to Christ by his frequent visits to him.
Moscati "a man like us" - University teaching qualification in 1922
Moscati had been working for years in the hospital and, at the same time, he had been teaching a growing number of young medical students who followed his lectures with great interest and affection. In 1911, he had obtained the degree in physiological chemistry and had become a Head Physician at the Incurabili Hospital in Naples. He taught also Clinical Medicine and Semiology without official qualifications.
But some people, seeing that so many students were crowding around Prof. Moscati, were plotting to stop him from teaching. So, he wrote to Dr. Castellino: "I wonder whether my colleagues appreciate my lectures". Later on, in 1922, he begged him to convene the Commission. Going through the letter we realize that saints also can have their discouragements, misgivings and regrets. Besides, the discouragement affected the health of Moscati. Yes, the great clinical Expert, the famous Professor, the great Saint showed himself closer to us, like one of us!
Sanctity is not devoid of ambition or indignation before the envy. Sanctity joins the human nature and respects it. But sanctity, at the same time, gives all the means to raise oneself above ordinary people and narrow illusory horizons. Many colleagues and student admired Moscati but he was a superior being and a saint. Nevertheless he suffered just like us. We have evidence of it in this letter to Prof. P.castellino:
"Dear Sir, You have been everything to me from the time I was seventeen years old (I was a student and now I have grey hair!). You were a master, a most loving father [...]
Just now I am a prey to an extreme breakdown and I am tired out, as since the war and up to today is a continuous work and a series of emotions for me! I spend all nights sleepless; I neglected to have my teaching appointment confirmed and ratified. Maybe I’ll be able to get it next time when the higher course will begin. […]
I am afraid I made a mistake: I should have continued along the clinical line. The truth is that I hated and continue to hate even now, the professorial career! Well never mind!" […]
On October 14th 1922, the Minister of Education subscribed the act of appointment in favour of Moscati. It conferred the University Teaching Qualification on the future Saint who wrote the following words three days later:
"Love the truth, show yourself as you are, without pretences and fears and without ceremonies. And if the truth causes you persecution, accept it, and if it causes you some torment, bear it. And if for the truth sake you should sacrifice yourself and your life, be strong in your sacrifice."
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