|
Also known as: Augustine
Roscelli; Augustin Roscelli
Memorial: 7 May
Profile
Born to a poor farming family, he spent his youth as a mountain shepherd,
using his solitary time for prayer. During a parish mission in May 1835,
he realized a call to the priesthood, a calling he attacked with prayer
which led to financial aid that allowed him to study at Genoa. Ordained on
19 September 1846.
Priest at Saint Martin d'Albaro in 1846, then the Church of Consolation in
Genoa in 1854. Chaplain of the provincial orphanage in 1874, a post he
held for 22 years. Prison chaplain, working especially with those
condemned to death.
He established a residential school to train young women who were in
danger of starvation or falling into prostitution because they had no
support. On 15 October 1876, he founded the Institute of Sisters of the
Immaculata to run this and other residential centers he established.
Born
27 July 1818 at Bargone di Casarza Ligure, Italy
Died
7 May 1902 at Genoa, Italy of natural causes
Beatified
7 May 1995 by Pope John Paul II
Canonized
10 June 2001 by Pope John Paul II
Readings
A spiritual feature characteristic of Blessed Agostino Roscelli...was to
work at the service of his brothers and sisters without ever neglecting
his interior union with the Lord. The true contemplative is the one who is
able to work with greater force and incisiveness for the salvation of
souls and the good for the Church. The new blessed's apostolic activity
was truly fruitful because it flowed from a genuine mystical and
contemplative life. His ardent love for God, enriched by the gift of
wisdom, engaged him to give himself as far as possible to serving his
neighbor without ever being separated from the Lord.
-Pope John Paul II at the beatification ceremony of Agostino Roscelli
|
