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Blessed Luigi and Maria Beltrame Quattrocchi

First married couple beatified together, who lived an ordinary family life in Rome

Rank
Blessed
Kind
Layperson
Life
1880 – 1951
Era
20th century
Feast
25 November
Countries
Italy
Italy

Life story

Luigi Beltrame Quattrocchi was born on 12 January 1880 in Catania, Sicily, and pursued a legal career, later holding a senior post in the state legal service in Rome. Maria Corsini was born on 24 June 1884 in Florence; she was well educated and wrote on education. They married on 25 November 1905 in Rome.

The couple had four children. Filippo (1906–2003) became a Benedictine priest, Stefania (1908–1993) a Benedictine nun, Cesare (1909–2008) a Trappist monk, and Enrichetta (1914–2012) remained a layperson. Accounts say the family prayed together and took part in charitable work in the city.

Luigi died on 9 November 1951 in Rome. Maria lived on for more than fourteen years and died on 26 August 1965 at Serravalle di Bibbiena.

John Paul II beatified them together on 21 October 2001 in St Peter's Basilica, the first time a married couple had been beatified together. Their feast day is 25 November, their wedding anniversary. John Paul II described their life as an ordinary life lived in an extraordinary way.

Works and witness

  • Married on 25 November 1905 in Rome
  • Raised four children; three entered religious or priestly life
  • Luigi worked as a lawyer, later holding a senior state legal post
  • Maria wrote and took part in charitable work
  • First married couple beatified together (2001)

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

  • Martyrologium Romanum
  • Vatican account of the beatification of 21 October 2001 and homily of John Paul II

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.