St. Anthony Mary Gianelli
Image: Aquinas and More
(CNA) Born 1789 in Italy Cerreto, Anthony grew up in a poor but devout Christian family in a small farming village in Italy Genoa, his mother taught him Catechism according to SQPN his father was known as a man of generosity and a peace maker in their community.
The owner of Anthony’s family farm paid for his Seminary education because he was such a promising student. Ordained a Priest in 1812 at the age of 23, he required special dispensation. Fr. Anthony Gianelli served as a Parish Priest and eventually founded several religious communities–some of them short lived:
- Missionaries of St. Alphonsus in 1827 (which existed until 1848)
- Oblates of St. Alphonsus in 1828 (which existed for 20 years)
- The Sisters of Our Lady of the Garden in 1829 which exists to this date, now called: ‘Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden‘ operating in the United States, Europe and Asia.
In 1837 Fr. Gianelli was named Bishop of Italy Bobbio, which he actively restored devotions and instructed the faithful, Bishop Gianelli became known as the ‘People’s Bishop’ visiting with his Parishes and organizing two Synods.
After serving as Bishop for just 9 years, Bishop Anthony Gianelli died on this date in 1846 at the age of just 57 as a result of a serious fever.
Bishop Gianelli was Beatified in 1925 by Pope Pius XI and Canonized in 1951 by Pope Pius XII
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