2 March 1949 – 5 February 2026
Father Gianni came to Finland in 2015. According to his own words, the Blessed Virgin Mary had one day asked him to undertake this mission. He lived at Stella Maris, where he served as a spiritual director and as the diocesan exorcist. During Father Gianni’s time at Stella Maris, a wide range of activities were organised, including events for young adults and summer camps. Several seminarians also lived at Stella Maris during those years, and Father Gianni played an important role in their formation. He frequently welcomed visitors from around the world. His hospitality left a deep impression on many people: regardless of background or personal circumstances, he received everyone with open arms and served them according to their needs.
Father Gianni was born in Verona, Italy, in 1949. As a young boy he already knew that he was called to be a priest, and he made a promise to the Blessed Virgin Mary concerning this vocation. He joined the Passionist Congregation in 1966 and was ordained a priest in 1974. Thereafter he served in several countries, including positions as a university lecturer. In addition to his native Italian, he spent long periods living in Cameroon, the Holy Land, and Medjugorje, where he founded the Oasis of Peace community in 1987.
Father Gianni learned the languages of the countries in which he lived. Towards the end of his years in Finland, he celebrated Mass mainly in Finnish and occasionally even preached in Finnish. He spoke the original languages of the Bible as well as Latin fluently, something that was reflected in both his speech and his whole bearing. It seemed as though he breathed the Word of God.
In my own spiritual growth, Father Gianni played a significant role. He understood the abundance of God’s grace and communicated it faithfully without compromising the instructions and commandments given to us by Jesus. His teaching was profound, but I feel I learned even more simply by observing his life, in which the action of God—and perhaps also of the spiritual powers assisting him—was clearly visible. During those years, Stella Maris was a place where one could easily participate in the Liturgy of the Hours, attend Mass, spend time in Eucharistic adoration, or simply come to pray and receive spiritual guidance.
Every year Father Gianni served as a guide and spiritual director for numerous groups, especially in Medjugorje and the Holy Land. I myself travelled with Father Gianni and seminarian Andy to Italy—including Verona, Padua and Lucca—as well as to Medjugorje. These journeys were spiritually enriching but also filled with human joy: relaxed companionship, good food and music. As a counterbalance, life with Father Gianni at Stella Maris included regular fasting, early mornings and, at times, all-night vigils in adoration. I never saw anything on his feet except sandals.
The following are memories shared by people who were close to Father Gianni during his years at Stella Maris.
Father Gianni’s arrival at Stella Maris was wonderful news. Mass would be celebrated there every Sunday throughout the year, and there would be opportunities to participate in regular prayer services and weekday Masses. Stella Maris has been an important place for me since my youth and for my children since their childhood. It is where I met many Catholic friends who remain important to me to this day. I had been saddened because Stella Maris had become so quiet during the winter months. Father Gianni’s arrival brought a new spirit to the place.
Father Gianni’s presence even inspired some of my children to return to the Church, and new friendships began to develop. Life felt abundantly blessed, and there was a sense of security. The community was wonderfully international.
Father Gianni welcomed everyone exactly as they were, as though he had always known them. One always felt safe in his company, and confidence in the future remained strong. We lost so much when he left Finland, yet even on 1 January 2026 Father Gianni sent New Year greetings to the community that had formed at Stella Maris during his years there.
Thank you, Father Gianni. May your journey to heaven be blessed.
Birgitta
I first met Father Gianni in November 2016, about a decade ago. At that time, I was going through a difficult period in my life. I was struggling with depression and experiencing loneliness and a sense of despair. I longed for a new mental and spiritual beginning. At the suggestion of Father Zenon Strykowski, I travelled to Stella Maris.
As Father Gianni’s guest, I immersed myself in the rhythm of the Liturgy of the Hours throughout the day, participated in Holy Mass, and received an abundance of spiritual guidance, instruction, and prayer support. We often had excellent one-on-one conversations in the sauna.
Later, I took part in the “youth weekends” led by Father Gianni at Stella Maris, although “community weekends” might be a more accurate description, since older people were usually present as well. These gatherings had a great impact on my life, and I formed lasting friendships there. Father Gianni had a remarkable ability to gather people around him to hear the Word of God. It felt as though one were travelling alongside the Apostle Paul. Together, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we participated in the Liturgy of the Hours, Holy Mass, prayer, and Eucharistic adoration. Serving and worshipping together under Father Gianni’s guidance and through his ministry strengthened us and helped us support one another in prayer.
I still remember Father Zenon’s words when I asked what kind of priest I would meet. He said: “Father Gianni is a rather exacting Italian priest, but also extremely gentle and very strong in prayer.” Even today, that is how I would describe Father Gianni. I would add that he was an excellent cook. What stood out in him was his love for people and for our Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as his strong, disciplined prayer life and attention to detail. I remember him as a priest who was firm in his faith and made no compromises with the truth. He always defended Christ courageously, upheld the dignity of the Eucharist, and opposed every form of negative development, both in society and within the Church.
I miss Father Gianni, and I do not deny it. Yet he has fought the good fight and has won. I believe him to be a saint, although that is not for me to decide. Thank you for being part of my life, Father Gianni, and thank you for the privilege of spending time with you in prayer and worship, in the sauna, sharing meals, joking, rejoicing, and laughing together.
With longing and prayers,
Jukka
Compiled by Tea Laurila