Bahá’í World/Volume 20/Ugo Giachery

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[Page 777]

IN MEMORIAM

DR. UGO GIACHERY 1896-1989

Rich in history and embellished by the arts, fortunate in her traditions, inhabited by citizens open to human relationsflsuch was the city of Palermo, capital of Sicily, that welcomed to the world, on 13 May 1896, Ugo Giachery, the fifth in a family of nine children.

“I believe I can recall events from the age of three,” recounted Ugo Giachery, “when I registered in my memory episodes and facts that I did not then fully understand, but Which with the passing of time seemed like blossoms which would open like magic; so it was for me a world of delights and wonders!”1

He continued:

My father was born on the 6th of August 1863; the name given to him, Uberto, is a Teutonic name meaning ‘Resplendent Soul’ wand so he was!2 ...Some of the happiest recollections that come to my memory are of the hours we passed with him when we were young-whe loved us immensely; he was always available for us. He seized every opportunity to increase our general knowledge; he talked to us of the universe, of the solar system, of geophysics, of trees, plants, flowers and herbs.3 ...Among his friends were three famous sculptors, with one of whom he had been at school, and to whose studio we were often taken ... I recall that although I was very small, I was enchanted to see how

Ugo Giachery, Come Ricardo Emerico Giacheiy, NOV.-DCC. 1981, p.1.

ibid., p. 3.

3 ibid., pp. 9—10.

from blocks of marble would come forth faces, human figures, animals I could recognize, or imaginary creatures.4

Then came the War, the F irst World War. ‘Not every evil is harmful’, as the ancient proverb has it, for I was wounded and obtained a government scholarship which permitted me to graduate in chemistry.5 . .. Not knowledge, nor his so—called culture, make a man; but rather his dreams, his imagination, his Vision of an ordered future where reason triumphs over force and compromise.6

Dr. Giachery also wrote about how he met his wife, Angeline:

...I met Angeline in the home of mutual friends [in the United States]; she was gentle, gracious, cultured, elegant and happy. In her presence one seemed to sense the fragrance of pines and firs of the Varmland forest, the most romantic and beautiful region of Sweden. We met frequently and a mutual affection developed. On 24 February 1926 we were married in New York City.7

Angeline was already a Bahá’í when she met Dr. Giaohery, and towards the end of the 19203 or the beginning of the 19308 Dr. Giachery first wrote to the Guardian. A door had opened, allowing a glimpse of a path; nobody could have imagined how far it would lead!

Dr. Giachery served as chairman of the Teaching Committee of the State of New

ibid., p. 18.

ibid., p. 23.

ibid., p. 26.

The Bahá’í World, vol. XVIII (Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 1986), p. 718.

\IONUIb

[Page 778]778

Dr. Ugo Giachery York, and as treasurer of the Local Spiritual Assembly of New York City. And when the Guardian, through historic messages, sounded the signal for the inauguration of the second Seven Year Plan, to carry across the ocean to the shores of the Old World the healing influence of the Faith of Baha’u’llah, Dr. and Mrs. Giachery sold their home and went as pioneers to Italy.

They reached Naples on 20 February 1947, and after a 12—hour j ourney on an ancient and overcrowded bus, they arrived at Rome.

...by Riḍván 1948 the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Rome was elected. Shoghi Effendi was overj oyed. He requested a photograph of the Local Spiritual Assembly, had it framed and personally placed it at the head of his bed in the room he often occupied when staying overnight in the Mansion of Bahjí.1

On April 29, 1948, at four o’clock in the V

afternoon, in a room of the Hotel Savoia in Rome, William Sutherland Maxwell, acting for Shoghi Effendi signed the first

1 The Bahá’í World, vol. XVIII, p. 718.

THE Bahá’í WORLD

contract for the marble necessary to com plete the Shrine of the Báb on Mount

Carmel.2

Dr. Giachery wrote: “The hand of destiny made me his co—worker in securing the carved marble for the Holy Sepulchre in my native Italy, a privilege and honour that has blessed rny mature years.”3 The assistance of his dear wife, Angeline, at the Italian end of the magnificent enterprise was inestimable, extending from 1948 to the end of 1957.

Recounting his first meeting with the Guardian, Dr. Giachery wrote:

...the reward came to me that first night I was in his presence Turning to the friends seated at his table for dinner, he said ‘We are very glad to have such a Bahá’í friend, to whom the whole world is indebted.’ Then, addressing me, he added: ‘The service you have rendered is not sufficiently appreciated today, but it will be fully appreciated in the future This evening when I went to the Shrine, I remembered you, and I have come to the decision that we shall have a “Giachery” door for the Shrine—one of the doors.’4

During these years of residence in Rome, 1947—1964, Dr. and Mrs. Giachery devoted special care to the Vital work of translating from English into Italian and publishing the Bahá’í texts, an inestimable gift to the believers for their comprehension of the Revelation of Baha’u’llah. The first of the numerous texts which were brought to light in Italian was Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, “. .. that splendid, authoritative and comprehensive introduction to Bahá’í history and teachings. . .”5 and splendid were the results of its being presented to numerous libraries and personalities throughout Italy.

2 The Bahá’í World, vol. X11, p. 240.

3 Ugo Giachery, Shoghi Effendi: Recollections (Oxford: George Ronald, 1973), p. 55.

4 ibid., pp. 78—79.

5 Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1987), p. 382.

[Page 779]IN MEMORIAM

From Dr. Giacheiy’s interesting and perspieuous treatise entitled One God, One T rutlz, 0716 People: Some thoughts on the Peace Encyclical of Pope John HUI, we learn that as an Observer to the United Nations for the Bahá’í International Community Dr. Giaohery was present at the histofio meeting for the Univers a1 Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in Paris on 10 December 1948. He also collaborated (with other representatives of many non-governmental organizations) in the drafting of that document, at the NGO Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, in May of that same year.

On 24 December 1951, the Guardian announced:

HOUR NOW RIPE TAKE LONG INEVITABLY

DEFERRED STEP... APPOINTMENT FIRST CON TINGENT HANDS CAUSE GOD. ..

Dr. Giachery was one of that first contingent of the Hands of the Cause of God.

In March 1952 he was appointed “member at large” of the International Bahá’í Council.

During his pilgrimage, Dr. Giachery had received instructions directly from the Guardian on the immediate steps to be taken aimed at the formation, ere the termination of the second Seven Year Plan, of the first National Spiritual Assembly of Italy and Switzerland. The Convention, according to the Guardian’s desire, was held in the city of Florence, in the heart of the Italian Peninsula, and was considered by him to be the fairest fruit produced in the European continent by the Divine Plan of ‘Abdu’l—B aha. The Guardian was represented by Dr. Giachery, who was elected to that body and served as its chairman for nine consecutive years.

The Great Jubilee commemorating the Centenary of the termination of the Babi Dispensation and the Birth of Baha’u’llah’s Revelation, 1853—1953, had as its highlights four Intercontinental Conferences. The Conference for Europe took place in Stockholm, Sweden, and Dr. Giachery was the special representative of the Guardian. He was also present at the last of the four conferences, which took place in New Delhi, India, and at

779

the meeting with the Prime Minister of India, J awaharlal Nehru. Then, at the Guardian’s request, he travelled from there to Persia where he remained about two months.

In November 1954, the invitation of the Guardian to go on pilgrimage reached Dr. and Mrs. Giachery. For Angeline, to be at the World Centre and meet Shoghi Effendi was the greatest event of her life. One evening, on 24 December, the Guardian turned to her and said:

“I would very much like to keep you and Ugo here indefinitely, but Ugo must return to Italy and start immediately to work on the International Archives.”1 Dr. Giachery decided to give absolute priority to the execution of this magnificent plan.

On 12 December 1956, Shoghi Effendi sent to Dr. Giachery a cablegram which reads as follows:

CONGRATULATE YOU SPLENDID HISTORIC HIGH LY MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT ENSURING ,

EXCELLENT EXECUTION DETAILS STRUCTURE

ARCHIVES PARTICULARLY GREATEST NAME.

PRESENT FUTURE GENERATIONS BELIEVERS

INCLUDING MYSELF PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL.

In November of 1957, the Bahá’í world was stricken by the passing of the Guardian. It is nearly impossible to convey the state of those who had been so close to him, who had served him with such passion and loved him so intensely. Dr. Giachery expressed his feelings best in the epilogue of his book entitled, Sltoghz‘ Effendi: Recollections.

Again, the hand of fate called upon him to supervise the preparation of the marble and other materials needed for the erection of the memorial to Shoghi Effendi.

The responsibilities and tasks of the Hands of the Cause suddenly grew immensely. Dr. Giachery was away from home more often and for longer periods. In a letter from a friend to his wife, we read:

“Dear Angeline, ...I am sorry for you to have to be so very long alone in Rome. You are a most brave soldier in His heavenly

1 Shoghz' Eflendz': Recollections, p. 154‘

[Page 780]780 THE Bahá’í WORLD

army, heavenly it should be if we make it thus. We too miss Dr. Giachery. . .”

The beloved Shoghi Effendi, in his last message of October 1957, had announced the convocation of five Intercontinental Conferences, at the midway point of “the decade-long Spiritual Crusade”, that Crusade “formulated for the execution of the Grand Design conceived by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá...”1 Dr. Giachery was chosen to act as a special representative of the Guardian at the Chicago conference. To him was assigned the duty of exhibiting the portraits of Bahá’u’lláh and of the Báb. And in the city Where the Name of Baha’u’llah was publicly mentioned for the first time in the Western world in the last century,.~His portrait and the portrait of the Bab were now exhibited for the spiritual delight of over 1,600 believers from 31 countriest: such a fruit from such a seed!

On the eve of the end of the Ten Year Crusade, at Riḍván 1962, the happy and constructive union of the Italian and Swiss communities came to an end with the formation of the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’ís of Italy and the Bahá’ís of Switzerland. To the believers of both countries this opened new Vistas.

The years from 1964 to 1969 were particularly intense. On 19 January 1964 Dr. Giachery informed the National Spiritual Assemblies of Europe and the Auxiliary Board members of his departure for the Americas, accompanied by his most precious collaborator, Angeline, to serve as a Hand of the Cause of God in the Western Hemisphere. To many friends the change appeared as a painful separation.

Dr. Giachery wrote: “The geographic area assigned to me is Mexico, and Central America, and all the Antilles (Greater Antilles and Lesser Antilles). The Eountry is

large, the believers numerous. . . .” He passed '

days of real joy in the company of the

1 Shoghi Effendi, Messages to the Bahá’í World, 1950—1957 (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishin g Trust, 1971), p. 124—125.

Indians, who showed affection, respect, and care. “Oh if only the friends would understand that the basis of every conquest is harmony and unity! !”

One of the Counsellors remembers that when, in 1968, the first Continental Board of Counsellors for Central America was formed, “...the counsel of Dr. Giacheiy to us was: ‘Noblesse Oblige’wconstant and sacrificial service to the Friends”.

Dr. Giacheiy was one of the six Hands of the Cause who opened the Centenary of Baha’u’llah’s proclamation in the “Land of Mystery” with a Visit, in September 1967, to the House in Adrianople where the Stiriyi—Muhik was revealed. Six Intercontinental Conferences followed. At the Conference in Sydney, Australia, he represented the Universal House of Justice.

In a letter addressed to a believer in November 1967 he says:

It is impossible to tell you in detail our experiences, but briefly I can assure you that the Intercontinental Conference of Sydney was a true success and brought a breath of the spirit which emanates from the World Centre of the Faith to the friends in that continent, and those of nineteen other countries! The meeting with the Mayor of Sydney, with the Goveinor of American Samoa, and with the King of Western Samoa, to whom 1 presented the Book of Proclamation, remain episodes of the greatest importance in the history of the Faith.

On 11 February 1968, another meeting took place at the private residence of the Malietoa. Within the hour, Dr. Giacheiy cabled the Universal House of Justice:

TODAYS INTERVIEW CONFIRMS HEARTFELT

ACCEPTANCE. . .2

The Universal House of Justice described this as “. . Lan event of which the true significance will be fully understood only in the course of centuries to come. . .”3

2 The Bahá’í World, vol. XV, p. 181.

[Page 781]IN MEMORIAM 7 81

It was Dr. Giachery who, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, presented The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh to the Vatican, on 9 April 1968. Then, on the occasion of the 1968 International Convention, he was requested to Visit France, Portugal and Spain. In Portugal he met Umberto II of Ita1y, who received Dr. and Mrs. Giachery in his residence, Villa Italia, at Cascais, on the outskirts of Lisbon. They presented the book The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh t0 the exiled king.

Meanwhile, the time approached for the commemoration of the Centenary of the voyage of Baha’u’llah across the Mediterranean Sea to reach the prison city of ‘Akká. Palermo had been chosen to host this first Oceanic Conference, held from 23—25 August 1968. The Universal House of Justice was represented by Dr. Giacheiy. Many of the friends felt that the unfoldment of such an important event, and the presence of Dr. Giachery in his native 1and, fulfilled his deepest wishes, his hopes, and his efforts to bring the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to his fellow countrymen—a gift and augury for the future destiny of the land.

The news of the Giacherys’ return to Europe at Naw-Rt'iz 115 (1969) was received by the friends with great eagemess, in fresh anticipation of the joy and bounty of having them near. Their residence was estabhshed at Monte Carlo in the Principality of Monaco. But the experiences, emotions, difficulties, joys and Victories passed through in that period in the Americas remained with them for the rest of their lives.

Dr. Giacheiy’s anguish at the premature passing of his beloved Shoghi Effendi seemed never to lighten. He yearned to write his recollections of the greatest adventure of his life, the adventure which had tfansformed his existence. By the end of 1973, the book was published. A review of it written by Dr. Howard Garey, Professor of

3 Message from the Universal House of Justice to the

Bahá’ís of the world, 7 May 1973.

French Philology at Yale University in the United States, appeared in the magazine World Order (Spring 1974): “To me, reading this loving recollection has been a moving and joyful experience. ...the book by Dr. Giachery ...is like a poem of love.”

In 1975, he made an extensive Visit to the Cradle of the Faith. The testimony of one of the Persian friends gives us an insight into one of the events of that Visit:

“The Bahá’ís of Maflhad, in the Province of K_hurasan, welcomed Dr. Giachery and his beloved wife with tremendous love and enthusiasm. With great reverence they paid a Visit to the house of Mullá Ḥusayn, remaining for a long time in the room of Mullá Ḥusayn and Quddfis reciting the specia1 Tablet of Visitation displayed in that special spot.”

That same year, he presented the Faith to Franz Joseph 11, Prince of Liechtenstein: the Visit“. . .was lively, interesting and friendly. . 3’1

A particularly significant day in the life of Dr. Giachery was 12 September 1976, when His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II of Western Samoa made a moving visitation to the resting place of the beloved Guardian. Dr. Giachery was with him, as a representative of the Universal House of Justice. The object of their common devotion greatly increased their reciprocal affection. It was an intense and happy day.

During his tenure as a Hand of the Cause, Dr. Giachery attended the inaugural conventions Of: the Iberian Peninsula, as representative of the Guardian (April 1957); Haiti and Venezuela, as representative of the Bahá’í World Centre on behalf of the body of the Hands (April—May 1961); and the Leeward, Windward and Virgin Islands (Riḍván 1967), British Honduras (28—30 April 1967), Near East (Lebanon—Riḍván 1970), Puerto Rico (Riḍván 1972), and Cyprus (20—21 May 1978), all as representative of the Universal House of Justice.

Dr. Giacheiy marked the moment of eaithly separation from his beloved companion and

Bahá’í News, December 1975, p. 17.

[Page 782]

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consort, Angeline, on 23 April 1980. He passed the following nine years without the comfort and affectionate support of his Angeline, yet what he succeeded in accomplishing is almost incredible.

In December 1980, he was in Western Samoa for the fourth time and was received by His Highness the Malietoa Tanumafili II. He also met hundreds of Bahá’ís at the “most historic and bountiful Summer School ever” at which he “poured out his heart day and night, his luminous spirit enriching the heart and soul of every believer”.1 He proceeded to the Hawaiian Islands, and then to southern California where he was happily able to be present at a special meeting in January 1981 held as “A Tribute to the Hands of the Cause”. Here he spoke of the Guardian and of the Hands in a way which was considered to be beyond description.

In 1982, the Universal House of Justice announced five International Conferences to be dedicated to the Greatest Holy Leaf on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of her passing. At the Canberra, Australia, Conference Dr. Giachery represented the Universal House of Justice. He considered this the finest conference he had ever attended.

Time rolled swiftly by. For 20 years Dr. Giachery sent out words of encouragement, affection and advice in innumerable letters written from his home on the fourth floor of the Europa Residence building in Place des Moulins. It is not easy to capture the variety and essence of their contents. Some passages from two messages written at Riḍván 142 and 143, addressed to the Bahá’í friends in Europe, give us glimpses:

Cherished Bahá’í Friends, There is yet no one, who has not reached my advanced age, that can justly evaluate

the speed of time and the impelling.

necessity to hasten the propagation of the regenerating Teachings of Baha’u’llah’s Revelation. Youth in general believe that there is a magnitude of time ahead of

1 The Bahá’í World, vol. XVIII, p. 496.

THE BAHA’l WORLD

them the grown ups feel that the little efforts they can make are sufficient to appease the Creator and silence their conscience. Centuries are passing as fast as the twinkling of an eye, and very often human beings leave this contingent world suddenly, Without having accomplished, in Whole or in part, What was a divine mandate at the time of their birth. ..

Dearest Friends,

I have sewed the Faith of God for many decades, and I am going to hand down the secrets of my blessed wife and myself to all of you. Devote your life to the service of the Cause of God. The highest station man can aspire to is that of service. ‘Abdu’l-B aha selected that name for Himself it means the ‘Servant of Baha’. Avoid any fonn of ambition. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ... said that ambition that is not applied to the service of mankind is abomination be always polite, kind and generous. Teach your children to grow up like that; plant in them the desire to learn and love their teachers.

At the end of his fourth Visit to Samoa, Dr. Giachery had assured the Sovereign that he would return. As time passed such a Wish increased in intensity, until at last the longawaited day arrived. On the morning of 10 April 1989, he left his home in the Europa Residence in a wheelchair, no one imagining that it would be the last time. The memorable journey was under way! The bounty of God had granted the fulfilment of his desire.

In Apia, the capital city of Western Samoa, he was received With a moving formal welcome by the Head of State, His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili 11. And the islands of Samoa saw many souls turn to the light of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh and enlist under the banner of His Cause. On 3 July, as' he was signing a message, he said he thought he was signing his name for the last time. The message was about a plan for a Samoan Academy of Arts and Sciences, with a high level of study and research,

[Page 783]

IN MEMORIAM 783

based on the Bahá’í concept of education, for the well-being of the people of Samoa and of their region, and to help deepen understanding of their rich cultural heritage.

On the morning of 5 July, he had to be taken to the hospital; he asked that the return journey to Monte Carlo, scheduled for 12 July, be cancelled. That afternoon he talked of his beautiful journey, of the past, of the constmetion of the Shrine of the Báb, of how the tiles had been made, of so many other things. His thoughts, his spirit, rejoiced in the present, remembered the past, and lived the future.

He was resting when, at 6:45 p.m., his heart ceased to beat.

The Universal House of Justice announced his passing to all National Spiritual Assemblies on 6 July 1989 in the following message, the final diadem adorning the crown of his service:

Deeply grieved loss valiant, indefatigable, dearly—loved, distinguished Hand Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery. His passing in course historic Visit Samoa adds fresh laurels to crown already won during ministry beloved Guardian, and reinforces spiritual distinction vast Pacific region, already blessed by interment four other Hands. His magnificent accomplishments as Member at Large of International Bahá’í Council in connection raising superstructure Shrine of the Bath, which prompted Guardian to name one of the doors of that noble edifice after him, his painstaking efforts in promoting on the local, national and international levels, paramount interests of the Faith, his notable achievement in establishment ltalo—Swiss National Spiritual Assembly on eve launching Ten Year Cmsade, his outstanding qualities of zeal, fidelity, determination and perséverance, which characterized imperishable record his arduous labourswall combine to richly adorn annals Faith over period his superb, assiduous exertions, and undoubtedly assure him bountiful reward in Kingdom on High.

Advise all National Spiritual Assemblies hold befitting memorial gatherings his name, particularly in Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs in recognition his unique position, splendid services.

The funeral took place on the morning of 12 July. “Dignified, serene, even glorious” were words people used to describe it. It was impressive the way the familiar Bahá’í ceremony was combined with Samoan culture. “‘Fa’a Samoa’ is what they say in Samoa to explain that something, a situation or action, embodies the spirit and soul of the Samoan way. And so, the funeralwwonderfully Bahá’í in content—felt at the same time ‘fa’a Samoa’.

“Notable was the presence of Malietoa Tanumafili II, the Head of State; the Prime Minister; cabinet members; and individuals of the royal family, dressed in formal Samoan lavalava suits and puletasi. Significantly, the Malietoa chose this occasion to be the first public announcement of his membership in the Bahá’í Faith.”1

Counsellor ‘Ala’i read a moving eulogy about Dr. Giaohery’s life. After the reading of the Obligatory Prayer for the departed, the casket was carried to its final resting place, followed by His Highness, the Cabinet members and dignitaries, the Bahá’ís and others.

Numerous were the messages sent from various parts of the world. One of these reads:

“The Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands join our brothers and sisters of Samoa in honouring the memory of our highly respected, deeply loved and treasured Hand of the Cause of God Dr. Ugo Giaohery.

“We will miss his regal bearing, his dignity, his wit and the twinkle in his eyes. We will miss his graciousness and his gentleness. We will forever remember the tears welling up in his eyes when he shared with us his deepest feelings for the two great loves of his life: his beloved Guardian Shoghi Effendi

Sperry, Mollie. “Beloved Hand Laid to Rest in Samoa”. Light of the Pacific. Hawaii, Aug. 1989, p. 5.

[Page 784]784

and his dearly-loved wife Angeline. By opening himself to us through his personal stories, he gave us a glimmer of the power of divine assistance and the depth of spirituality which comes ‘through the love of God and the illumination of divine teachings’.”

DR. MARIO PIARULLI