It is with regret that we inform you of the death at 2:15 AM on Sunday, 24th March 2024, at the Hospital in Bruneck, South Tyrol, Italy, aged 82 years of,
Father Alois Valentin
Mill Hill Missionary
May he rest in peace
Alois was born in Pfalzen, South Tyrol on 17th September 1941 to Peter, a farmer, and Angela nee Rovara. He had 2 brothers. He was baptised in his hometown in Pfalzen and was confirmed in Bruneck. He did six years elementary schooling at Pfalzen, followed by three years of secondary schooling at a public secondary school in Brixen. In 1958, he entered the Diocesan Seminary in Brixen where he passed the Maturation Exam that qualified him for university studies. In 1964, he joined the seminary of the Mill Hill Missionaries in Brixen where he took up a year of Philosophical studies. He went to St. Joseph’s College, Mill Hill in 1965 to continue his missionary formation and to study Theology and related studies. He became a Perpetual Member on 1st May 1968 at a ceremony held in the college chapel. He was ordained missionary priest at Brixen Cathedral by Bishop Joseph Gargitter of Bolzano/Brixen Diocese on the Feast of Peter and Paul, 29th June 1969.
On the eve of his ordination to the priesthood, Alois received from the General Superior his first mission appointment to Tororo Diocese, Uganda, which he took up in December 1969. He was stationed first in Mulanda and five months later to Lwala for language learning and cultural orientation. In January 1971, he was appointed to Kaberamaido where he tirelessly served with much devotion in spite of increasing security problems. In 1980, he was appointed back to his home region to do organising and recruitment work in Brixen, an appointment he took up after following a renewal course at Marianella Pastoral Centre, Dublin. In April 1982, he was appointed Rector of Missionshaus in Brixen for three years. In June 1985, he was re-appointed to Uganda, this time to Soroti Diocese where among others he was heavily involved in the training of the catechists. After eight years of committed pastoral ministry in Eastern Uganda, Alois went to the US to follow a sabbatical programme in Spokane. In 1994, he celebrated his silver jubilee as a missionary priest. The Superior General of the time wrote to Alois: “… only God can know the vast number of people, many of them his favourite poor, you have been able to help in all those years. You have gone through some of the tough years in Uganda; you have stuck steadfastly to the job despite the difficulties and tension. You will, I trust, have happy memories despite the hard times; may these memories encourage you to continue your work of love and service.”
In February 2001, Alois met with a tragic car accident on his way to Kampala from the airport together with two others. Fortunately, the three survived the accident. After a month in a hospital in Nsambya, Alois had to be airlifted to Nairobi Hospital. As his condition improved, he returned to the Tyrol on the 10th of April 2001 to seek further medical treatment and to recuperate. On 11th August 2001 he returned to Uganda. After giving closure to his time in Soroti Diocese, he looked after the Mill Hill House in Kampala. In August 2006, Alois was appointed Rector of the Mill Hill House in Kisumu, a post he held for 12 years. He was very much appreciated not only by the way he looked after the maintenance and administration of the house but also the warm hospitality he gave to members and guests. In August 2018, he was withdrawn from East Africa and appointed to the German Speaking Region. He involved himself in pastoral ministry in his home parish in Pfalzen where he was looking after a cluster of four parishes. He celebrated his golden jubilee as a priest in June 2019.
In October 2023 Alois was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He continued to live independently in his family-owned flat in Pfalzen. A few weeks ago, Alois was admitted to the palliative care ward at Bruneck Hospital. On Passion Sunday 24th March 2024, at 2:15 AM, Alois returned to the Heavenly Father bringing with him almost 55 years of missionary service in Uganda, Kenya and the Tyrol. In thanksgiving for his life, a Eucharistic celebration and Funeral Service will be held at his home parish in Pfalzen, South Tyrol on Wednesday, 27th March at 2.30 pm. His remains will be buried there. May the Lord whom he served so faithfully welcome Alois into his heavenly banquet!
