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Saint Giovanni Battista Piamarta
Image: Fabdalog · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Saint Giovanni Battista Piamarta

Brescia priest who founded the Artigianelli trade school for working boys

Rank
Saint
Kind
Priest, Founder
Life
1841 – 1913
Era
20th century
Feast
25 April
Countries
Italy
Italy

Life story

Giovanni Battista Piamarta was born on 26 November 1841 in Brescia to a poor family; his father was a barber. His mother died in 1850 when he was nine, and he grew up in poor city neighbourhoods with little schooling. He was ordained a priest in December 1865 (sources give the 23rd or 24th) and assigned to the parish of St Alexander at Carzago Riviera in Bedizzole, before serving at Pavone del Mella.

With Fr Pietro Capretti he founded the Artigianelli Institute (Workman's Institute) in Brescia to give vocational and religious formation to poor youths who came to the city for work; Piamarta began its work there in 1886. With Fr Giovanni Bonsignori he founded the Agricultural Colony of Remedello to serve farm workers. In March 1900 he founded the Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth and the congregation of sisters, the Humble Servants of the Lord.

He died of natural causes at Remedello on 25 April 1913, aged 71, and was buried in the church of the Institute there; his remains were later moved to the workers' church he had built, in 1926. John Paul II declared him Venerable on 22 March 1986 and beatified him on 12 October 1997; Benedict XVI canonised him on 21 October 2012. His feast day is 25 April.

Works and witness

  • Ordained priest in December 1865 and served parishes near Bedizzole
  • Co-founded the Artigianelli Institute in Brescia with Fr Pietro Capretti
  • Co-founded the Agricultural Colony of Remedello with Fr Giovanni Bonsignori
  • Founded the Holy Family of Nazareth and the Humble Servants of the Lord in March 1900
  • Beatified in 1997 and canonised in 2012

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

  • Diocese of Brescia: Messale 'San Giovanni Battista Piamarta' (ordination 1865, Artigianelli 1886, Remedello), diocesi.brescia.it
  • CatholicSaints.Info: 'Saint Giovanni Battista Piamarta', catholicsaints.info/saint-giovanni-piamarta

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