Saint Francesco Spinelli

Life story

Francesco Spinelli was born on 14 April 1853 in Milan and grew up in Cremona after his family moved there. He trained for the priesthood in Bergamo, where his friend was Luigi Maria Palazzolo, and was ordained in 1875. A priest uncle supported his vocation.

On 15 December 1882 he co-founded the Sacramentine Sisters in Bergamo with Mrs Comensoli; the first convent was on Via San Antonino. On 4 March 1889 he left that institute after financial and other difficulties, and the bishop ended his connection with it. He moved to Rivolta d'Adda and took pastoral work at the invitation of the bishop of Cremona.

In 1892 he founded the Sisters Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament; Bishop Geremia Bonomelli of Cremona gave diocesan approval in 1897, and the Holy See approved the congregation in 1932. He died at Rivolta d'Adda on 6 February 1913, aged 59. His cause opened on 25 January 1952; John Paul II beatified him on 21 June 1992 at Caravaggio. Pope Francis canonised him on 14 October 2018 alongside Paul VI and Archbishop Romero, after approving as a miracle the healing of a newborn in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Works and witness

• Ordained a priest in Bergamo in 1875
• Co-founded the Sacramentine Sisters in Bergamo on 15 December 1882
• Founded the Sisters Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament in 1892 in the Cremona area
• Received diocesan approval from the bishop of Cremona in 1897
• Beatified in 1992 and canonised in 2018

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

• Catholic News Agency: "Francesco Spinelli to be canonized after healing of a newborn in DR Congo" (9 Oct 2018)
• Vatican News: report on the canonisation Mass of 14 October 2018 (vaticannews.va)
• Encyclopedia.com: 'Spinelli, Francesco, Bl.' (New Catholic Encyclopedia)

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