Blessed Luigi Boccardo
Also known as
- Apostle of Merciful Love
Profile
One of ten children. Brother and god-son of Blessed Giovanni Maria Boccardo. Educated by the Barnabites. Entered the seminary in 1875, and was ordained in 1884 in the archdiocese of Turin, Italy. Assistant priest to his brother. Vice-rector and spiritual director at the Consolata College. Professor and spritual director of seminarians. Director of religious schools and religious education in his diocese. Visited prisoners and spent hours in the confessional at the Shrine of the Consolata. On the death of his brother, he was appointed superior of the Poor Daughters of San Gaetano in 1913. Director of an institute for the blind in 1919. Preached retreats. Promoted the building of a shrine to Jesus Christ, King and Priest. Founded the Sisters of Jesus the King, a contemplative branch of the Poor Daughters of San Gaetano in 1932.
Born
- 9 August 1861 in Moncalieri, Turin, Italy
- 12 April 2003 by Pope John Paul II (decree of heroic virtues)
- 14 April 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI
- recognition celebrated by Cardinal José Saraiva Martins in Chiesa del Santo Volto (Church of the Holy Countenance), Turin, Italy at 3:30pm on Saturday 14 April 2007
Readings
His charism as educator and founder was to reveal the merciful love of Jesus, priest and king, to his brothers, especially in the education of the clergy … and in the spiritual direction of so many that approached him in the confessional. – Mother Teresa Ponsi, superior general of the Poor Sisters of San Gaetano
MLA Citation
- “Blessed Luigi Boccardo“. CatholicSaints.Info. 8 July 2023. Web. 28 April 2024. <>