October 19, 2012. (Romereports.com) The canonization of Father Giovanni Battista Piamarta is the culmination
of a story about helping those in need, especially underprivileged
youth in search of work.
P. IGOR MANZILLO Postulator “In his personal story can be read also the roots of his holiness: orphan, poor, helpless, eager to do good, but the atmosphere around him made him not easy. His idea is that if a young person is given the opportunity, confidence, he can achieve miracles.”
Giovanni Battista Piamarta was born in 1841 in the Italian city of Brescia, in northern Italy. Orphaned at age 9, he find himself on the street and at risk of falling into the gangs of the city. So he started going to the parish of Saint Faustino.
P. IGOR MANZILLO Postulator “He himself said that if he had not met with the parish of San Faustino, where he went, he was over being rough first order. His orphanage, poverty, the danger of spoiling, has provoke in him the desire to help other young people.”
He began developing projects like the “Art and Crafts Institute” and the “agricultural colony” where trades and practical agriculture are taught to young people taken off the streets. It as an activity he could not manage on his own.
P. IGOR MANZILLO Postulator “He needs help, besides lay teachers. He need other priests. So he starts in 1900 the congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth. There kids can experience the love and affection of being in a family, where, as in the Holy Family, work. But the work is not seen as a punishment for people, but as an opportunity to collaborate on the creation and to develop as persons.”
His tireless work to provide opportunities to disadvantaged young people is famous in Chile, Angola and Brazil, where the miracle took place which paved the way for the canonization.
P. IGOR MANZILLO Postulator “The miracle took place in 2004 in Brazil. Mr. Esteban had swallowed a fishbone that caused an infection in the stomach and all the organs near the stomach. He was in a coma 50 days. His family prayed to Father Piamarta and he cured.”
Now Benedict XVI will officially approve that the life of this Italian priest is an example for all Christians and a special help in heaven for young people in search of work.
October 19, 2012. (Romereports.com) The canonization of Father Giovanni Battista Piamarta is the culmination
of a story about helping those in need, especially underprivileged
youth in search of work.
