Subject: 'australasia' # 377

Courtesy Tony Bailey UK

 

Rome - Fr Nicolò Loss, professor emeritus of Sacred Scripture of the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) in Rome, died in his sleep on Sunday morning, 9 July. He was 79.

Nicolò Loss was born in November 1920, and entered the Salesian Society in 1939, making his first vows on 8 September 1940. His early formation took place during the second world war, and he was a member of the first class to return to Turin for theology formation after World War II. He was ordained in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians of the feast of the Visitation, 2 July 1950 during the Holy Year.

After ordination, Fr Loss concluded work in a Licentiate in systematic theology and then went to Rome to enroll at the Pontifical Biblical Institute (Biblicum), where he earned a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture. He returned to the "Crocetta" in Turin to teach courses in biblical theology while working concurrently on a doctorate in Philsoophy. Later, when the PAS (Salesian Pontifical Atheneum) relocated in Rome (1965), Fr. Loss was among those who worked for the full recognition of the atheneum as a Pontifical University. He held the full professorship (ordinario) of Biblical Sciences.

Well loved as a professor, formation guide and spiritual director, Fr Loss spent his entire priesthood in a ministry of formation young adults, including seminarians and young priests. He was a man of great leaning and culture, and also of great wit and humor. He was also a guide among his peers, serving as director and religious superior of the "Gesù Maestro" community of professors at the Salesian Pontifical University from 1985 to 1991.

In 1990 he became emeritus, but continued at the UPS, teaching some courses and especially exercising the ministry of spiritual direction for students and professors alike. One week previous to his death, he celebrated his 50^th anniversary of ordination (2 July) with two classmates also professors at the UPS, don Agostino Favale and don Ulrich Prerovsky. The three classmates and colleagues were looking forward to a reunion with other Crocetta classmates in September, celebrating their own Jubilee during the Great Jubilee.

Condolences to his community at the Salesian University in Rome, and to all his students and past-pupils who remember him with deep gratitude and affection.