DR. UGO GIACHERY 1896—1989
Rich in history and embellished by the arts, fortunate in her traditions, inhabited by citizens open to human relations—such 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.
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 my mature years.” 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.’
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. . .” and splendid were the results of its being presented to numerous libraries and personalities throughout Italy.
From Dr. Giachery’s interesting and perspicuous treatise entitled One God, One Truth, One People: Some thoughts on the Peace Encyclical of Pope John XXIII, we learn that as an Observer to the United Nations for the Bahá’í International Community Dr. Giachery was present at the historic meeting for the Universal 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 CONTINGENT 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.
On 12 December 1956, Shoghi Effendi sent to Dr. Giachery a cablegram which reads as follows:
CONGRATULATE YOU SPLENDID HISTORIC HIGHLY MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT ENSURING, EXCELLENT EXECUTION DETAILS STRUCTURE ARCHIVES PARTICULARLY GREATEST NAME. PRESENT FUTURE GENERATIONS BELIEVERS INCLUDING MYSELF PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL.
On 11 February 1968, another meeting took place at the private residence of the Malietoa. Within the hour, Dr. Giachery cabled the Universal House of Justice:
TODAYS INTERVIEW CONFIRMS HEARTFELT ACCEPTANCE. . .
The Universal House of Justice described this as “. . . an event of which the true significance will be fully understood only in the course of centuries to come. . .”
Dr. Giachery’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 transformed his existence. By the end of 1973, the book [Recollections] was published. A review of it written by Dr. Howard Garey, Professor of 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.”
Dr. Giachery marked the moment of earthly separation from his beloved companion 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.
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 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 served 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-Baha selected that name for Himself it means the ‘Servant of Baha’. Avoid any form 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.
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 construction 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 Báb, 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 Crusade, his outstanding qualities of zeal, fidelity, determination and perseverance, which characterized imperishable record his arduous labours—all 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 funeral—wonderfully 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.”
“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 Giachery.
“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 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’.”
—Bahá'í World Volume 20, pp. 777-784
Rich in history and embellished by the arts, fortunate in her traditions, inhabited by citizens open to human relations—such 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.
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 my mature years.” 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.’
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. . .” and splendid were the results of its being presented to numerous libraries and personalities throughout Italy.
From Dr. Giachery’s interesting and perspicuous treatise entitled One God, One Truth, One People: Some thoughts on the Peace Encyclical of Pope John XXIII, we learn that as an Observer to the United Nations for the Bahá’í International Community Dr. Giachery was present at the historic meeting for the Universal 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 CONTINGENT 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.
On 12 December 1956, Shoghi Effendi sent to Dr. Giachery a cablegram which reads as follows:
CONGRATULATE YOU SPLENDID HISTORIC HIGHLY MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT ENSURING, EXCELLENT EXECUTION DETAILS STRUCTURE ARCHIVES PARTICULARLY GREATEST NAME. PRESENT FUTURE GENERATIONS BELIEVERS INCLUDING MYSELF PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL.
On 11 February 1968, another meeting took place at the private residence of the Malietoa. Within the hour, Dr. Giachery cabled the Universal House of Justice:
TODAYS INTERVIEW CONFIRMS HEARTFELT ACCEPTANCE. . .
The Universal House of Justice described this as “. . . an event of which the true significance will be fully understood only in the course of centuries to come. . .”
Dr. Giachery’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 transformed his existence. By the end of 1973, the book [Recollections] was published. A review of it written by Dr. Howard Garey, Professor of 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.”
Dr. Giachery marked the moment of earthly separation from his beloved companion 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.
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 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 served 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-Baha selected that name for Himself it means the ‘Servant of Baha’. Avoid any form 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.
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 construction 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 Báb, 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 Crusade, his outstanding qualities of zeal, fidelity, determination and perseverance, which characterized imperishable record his arduous labours—all 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 funeral—wonderfully 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.”
“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 Giachery.
“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 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’.”
—Bahá'í World Volume 20, pp. 777-784
DR. UGO GIACHERY 1896—1989
Rich in history and embellished by the arts, fortunate in her traditions, inhabited by citizens open to human relations—such 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.
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 my mature years.” 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.’
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. . .” and splendid were the results of its being presented to numerous libraries and personalities throughout Italy.
From Dr. Giachery’s interesting and perspicuous treatise entitled One God, One Truth, One People: Some thoughts on the Peace Encyclical of Pope John XXIII, we learn that as an Observer to the United Nations for the Bahá’í International Community Dr. Giachery was present at the historic meeting for the Universal 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 CONTINGENT 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.
On 12 December 1956, Shoghi Effendi sent to Dr. Giachery a cablegram which reads as follows:
CONGRATULATE YOU SPLENDID HISTORIC HIGHLY MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT ENSURING, EXCELLENT EXECUTION DETAILS STRUCTURE ARCHIVES PARTICULARLY GREATEST NAME. PRESENT FUTURE GENERATIONS BELIEVERS INCLUDING MYSELF PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL.
On 11 February 1968, another meeting took place at the private residence of the Malietoa. Within the hour, Dr. Giachery cabled the Universal House of Justice:
TODAYS INTERVIEW CONFIRMS HEARTFELT ACCEPTANCE. . .
The Universal House of Justice described this as “. . . an event of which the true significance will be fully understood only in the course of centuries to come. . .”
Dr. Giachery’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 transformed his existence. By the end of 1973, the book [Recollections] was published. A review of it written by Dr. Howard Garey, Professor of 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.”
Dr. Giachery marked the moment of earthly separation from his beloved companion 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.
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 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 served 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-Baha selected that name for Himself it means the ‘Servant of Baha’. Avoid any form 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.
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 construction 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 Báb, 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 Crusade, his outstanding qualities of zeal, fidelity, determination and perseverance, which characterized imperishable record his arduous labours—all 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 funeral—wonderfully 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.”
“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 Giachery.
“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 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’.”
—Bahá'í World Volume 20, pp. 777-784
Rich in history and embellished by the arts, fortunate in her traditions, inhabited by citizens open to human relations—such 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.
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 my mature years.” 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.’
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. . .” and splendid were the results of its being presented to numerous libraries and personalities throughout Italy.
From Dr. Giachery’s interesting and perspicuous treatise entitled One God, One Truth, One People: Some thoughts on the Peace Encyclical of Pope John XXIII, we learn that as an Observer to the United Nations for the Bahá’í International Community Dr. Giachery was present at the historic meeting for the Universal 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 CONTINGENT 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.
On 12 December 1956, Shoghi Effendi sent to Dr. Giachery a cablegram which reads as follows:
CONGRATULATE YOU SPLENDID HISTORIC HIGHLY MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT ENSURING, EXCELLENT EXECUTION DETAILS STRUCTURE ARCHIVES PARTICULARLY GREATEST NAME. PRESENT FUTURE GENERATIONS BELIEVERS INCLUDING MYSELF PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL.
On 11 February 1968, another meeting took place at the private residence of the Malietoa. Within the hour, Dr. Giachery cabled the Universal House of Justice:
TODAYS INTERVIEW CONFIRMS HEARTFELT ACCEPTANCE. . .
The Universal House of Justice described this as “. . . an event of which the true significance will be fully understood only in the course of centuries to come. . .”
Dr. Giachery’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 transformed his existence. By the end of 1973, the book [Recollections] was published. A review of it written by Dr. Howard Garey, Professor of 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.”
Dr. Giachery marked the moment of earthly separation from his beloved companion 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.
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 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 served 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-Baha selected that name for Himself it means the ‘Servant of Baha’. Avoid any form 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.
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 construction 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 Báb, 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 Crusade, his outstanding qualities of zeal, fidelity, determination and perseverance, which characterized imperishable record his arduous labours—all 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 funeral—wonderfully 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.”
“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 Giachery.
“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 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’.”
—Bahá'í World Volume 20, pp. 777-784
