23rd May - S JOHN BAPTIST ROSSI (1698-1764)

 Rossi was born in a village near Genoa, Italy. His family loved him. They were proud when a wealthy couple visiting their town offered to educate him. 

    His parents knew the couple and trusted them. John was happy to be able to go to their house in Genoa because then he could attend school. Everything was going well for John. 

    He became a student for the priesthood at the Roman College. He realized that studies were easy for him and took on more and more of a load. Even though his health was always poor, 

    Rossi did so much good for the people of Rome. He knew what it was like not to feel well, so Rossi took a special interest in sick people. 

    He was a frequent visitor in Rome's hospitals. He especially loved to spend time with the poor people at the Hospice of St. Galla. This was a shelter for the poor and homeless. 

    But Rossi became aware of poor people who had no one to look after their spiritual needs. The pope gave Father Rossi money to open a shelter for homeless women. Rossi placed the 

    house under the protection of one of his favourite saints, Aloysius Gonzaga. Rossi became best known for his kindness and gentleness in confession. 

    People formed lines near his confessional and waited patiently for their turn. Another favourite assignment given him by Pope Benedict XIV was to teach courses of spiritual 

    instruction to prison officials and state employees. This wonderful priest died at the age of 66. He was proclaimed a saint by Pope Leo XIII in 1881.




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