Anthony
Maria Gianelli was born in 1789 into a middle-class family living near
Genoa in the north of Italy. As a child, people were often struck by his
gentle nature, industriousness, and extraordinary intelligence. When he
came of age, the lady who owned the farm his family lived on became his
generous benefactress and financed his schooling and entry into the
ecclesiastical seminary in Genoa.
He quickly distinguished
himself by his virtue and exceptional eloquence, thus earning him the
unusual privilege of being allowed to preach while still a subdeacon. In
1812, when he was twenty-three years old, he was granted special
dispensation to be ordained a priest two years before the required
canonical age.
Although Fr. Anthony was dedicated to his
educational work, he also devoted himself to the work of preaching and
hosting missions which resulted in a great harvest of souls. All this
was in addition to all his ordinary duties and functions as a parish
priest – indeed, he was often confined to his confessional for long
stretches of time in order to accommodate the endless stream of
penitents who flocked to him for spiritual aid. He was ordained a bishop
in 1838 and appointed to the diocese of Bibbio, where he led his flock
by his extraordinary example of virtue, prudence and firm government.
Before
his death from a fever in 1846, at the age of fifty-seven, Bishop
Gianelli founded three religious orders - two for men and one for women.
The Missionaries of St. Alphonsus and the Oblates of St. Alphonsus were
established in 1827-1828; but sadly, both lasted only twenty years. The
Sisters of Our Lady of the Garden were founded in 1829 and dedicated
their lives to teaching poor children and caring for the ill and infirm.
They are still active and well known today in Italy and in other parts
of the world as well.
Anthony Gianelli was canonized in 1951 by Pope Pius XII.
Monday, June 7, 2021
St. Anthony Gianelli
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