The farewell

The last stage of Gio's earthly pilgrimage was

his departure for heaven.

The farewell to Giovannimaria was a great celebration

which was repeated in New York, Rome and Montagnana.

On each occasion many people participated:

from closest friends to many others who had never known him.

There were three joyful funerals where the pain of separation

was contained in the hearts and soothed by consolation

of the certainty of his birth into heaven.