Blessed Francesco Maria Greco
Profile
Born to a pious family, the son of a pharmacist, he received early religious training from his mother. Though his father hoped Francesco would take over the family business, the boy felt a call to the priesthood, studied in Naples, Italy, and was ordained in the archdiocese of Cosenza-Bisignano, Italy on 17 December 1881. Parish priest at the church of Saint Nicholas in Acri, Italy through 1887; while there he organized the construction of the Caritas hospital. Diocesan archpriest in 1888. Professor of theology. Believing that anyone who understood the faith would follow the faith, Monsignor Francesco concentrated on teaching, evangelizing and catechizing the young, and setting up training for new catechists. In 1892–1893, with Sister Maria Teresa de Vincenti, he founded the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts who continue their good work with today with the poor and abandoned in Albania, Argentina, Africa, Jamaica, Italy, India, the Holy Lands and the United States.
Born
- 13 January 1931 in Acri, Cosenza, Italy of bronchitis
- re-interred on 19 May 1961 following an exhumation as part of the canonization process
- 19 April 2004 by Pope John Paul II (decree of heroic virtues)
- 21 May 2016 by Pope Francis
- beatification recognition celebrated at Cosenza, Italy, Cardinal Angelo Amato chief celebrant
- the beatification miracle involved bringing Nina Pancaro out of a coma in which she had lapsed following a severe illness and surgery; while comatose, she was visited by a dream of Father Francesco who healed her and woke her up
Readings
The Sacred Hearts are our dwelling place, the object of our thoughts. – Blessed Francesco
Do not despair, always rely on divine help, make known, loved and glorified the Sacred Hearts. – Blessed Francesco
Having left everything is not worth much if holiness is wanting in one’s religious life. – Blessed Francesco
I abandon myself in everything and everywhere to Divine Providence. – Blessed Francesco
Let us adore the will of the Lord. – Blessed Francesco
In solitude, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, I learned the love of Jesus and the power of this love. – Blessed Francesco
My work should not rest. My whole life should be spent in being an apostolic missionary of Jesus and Mary. – Blessed Francesco
I am the servant of all. – Blessed Francesco
MLA Citation
- “Blessed Francesco Maria Greco“. CatholicSaints.Info. 15 July 2023. Web. 29 April 2024. <>