Childhood
Walter Elías Chango Rondeau was born in La Aguada, near Montevideo in Uruguay, on November 1, 1921, the son of Pedro Elías Chango and Teresa Rondeau. He was baptized in the parish of Our Lady of Peace in Canelones on January 6, 1922.
He grew up in a home environment where he learned diligence and integrity in life. At the age of ten, on November 8, 1931, he received his First Communion: for the rest of his life, he gave an important place to the Eucharist.
A good student
On March 6, 1933 he began his studies at the Holy Family Institute, run by the Brothers of the Holy Family of Belley, following commercial courses. Even though he wasn't particularly intelligent, he always got high grades, because he was very fond of studying.
He also got the gold medal for the best student, but he didn't brag about this and other awards. This behavior made him even more sympathetic to his companions.
The relationship with peers
His lust for life was manifested in his love of outdoor activities and camping. He was also an avid soccer and chess player. He was very happy to be with his peers, but he suffered if he heard them use bad words or spread gossip.
For his friends he wanted the best, indeed, a life as holy as possible. When one day he heard one of them boast of not going to Confession and Communion for some time, he took him aside and spoke to him about how, in the Sacraments, Jesus is present. Not long after, that boy went back to confession and Communion .
His Eucharistic apostolate
In one of his thoughts, dated Wednesday 17 August 1938, he noted: «Communion is the life of the soul. Without it our soul languishes and dies, unable to improve itself. The next day, August 18, he wrote instead: «Incomprehensible greatness of the Eucharist! The Eternal God, infinite in all perfection, hides his perfection under the apparent veil of the white Host, to feed himself to men infinitely unworthy of receiving his greatness".
He worked tirelessly in preparation for the third National Eucharistic Congress, which took place in Montevideo in 1938. He hand copied the logo and spread it among his neighbors, thus creating the right setting for that event. For him it wasn't just propaganda, but it was a way to meet people and share the faith with them.
Full-time catechist, member of Azione Cattolica
He prepared his cousin Enrique for his First Communion, who testified: «He was a full-time catechist, not only when we met for the specific moment of receiving catechism, but at all times and naturally he transmitted Christian values to me and spoke to me about Christ".
He frequented the parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in La Agueda, as a member of Catholic Action and of a lay association dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and to Saint Stanislao Kostka. In the same parish he met Father Atilio Nicoli, who became his spiritual director.
His charitable action
He then felt an intense compassion for the poor. He used to say: "What I give to the poor I give to Christ". At school he was in charge of collecting alms and was very happy when he saw that the collection was large. For his part, he was not outdone in generosity.
Whenever he could, he went to the market to get the fruit and vegetables that the merchants gave him, aware that he would later distribute them among the neediest. In his spare time he made toys for the poor children of his neighborhood, to whom he taught catechism while sitting under a tree in his garden. Finally, he visited the sick, infusing them with courage and serenity.
The dream of marriage
Someone declared that Walter, due to the ardor with which he spoke, looked like a priest. In fact, however, he had fallen in love with a girl who attended the same parish as him and dreamed of starting a family with her.
After graduation, he found work as a clerk. Although he was appreciated for his industriousness, he soon had to leave, because the symptoms of tuberculosis manifested themselves. The disease worsened, forcing him to put aside his plans to get engaged officially.
The time of sickness
To alleviate his condition, his parents moved out of town to a house with a garden. When she managed to get out of bed, she took a few steps, or sat under a magnolia tree. The operation she underwent when the disease reached her intestines proved futile.
Despite this, the young man tried to remain serene and maintain his good humor. Even before falling ill he recited the Rosary every day. When he couldn't do it anymore, he limited himself to murmuring ejaculations.
The death
Feeling that death was imminent, he asked for the Anointing of the Sick. Upon receiving it, he kissed his own hands, anointed with the oil of the sick, fervently. He then asked his parents for their blessing and then took his crucifix and blessed them in turn. "We are not of this world, but of God, and we must go to God," he said to console his mother.
Because of frequent vomiting, he could not receive Communion, so he was very depressed. Father Atilio Vicoli, who came to see him anyway, spoke to him about the abandonment of Jesus on the Cross. That reflection reassured him, then he took a crucifix in his hands and began to contemplate it deeply. A few moments later, squeezing it in his hands, he exclaimed: "I'm dying in peace." Those were his last words: at 19 pm on November 18, 1939, Walter surrendered his soul to God. He had just turned eighteen.
The history of your Association
it is made up of many “saints next door” – many! –,
and it is a story that must continue:
holiness is a heritage to be guarded and a vocation to be welcomed.