Saint Giuseppe Moscati

Life story

Giuseppe Moscati was born on 25 July 1880 at Benevento in southern Italy, into a family where his father was a judge. The family moved to Naples when he was young. He studied medicine at the University of Naples and graduated in 1903. He began working at the Incurabili hospital, where he served for many years, while also doing research in biochemistry and pathology.

In 1906, when Vesuvius erupted, he went to help evacuate patients from a hospital at Torre del Greco. During the cholera outbreak of 1911 he also took part in the response in Naples. He was appointed to teach at the university and was known as a careful physician with sound diagnoses. Many testimonies say he charged the poor nothing for consultations, sometimes leaving money for them with their prescriptions.

He never married, lived with his family and prayed regularly. He died suddenly in Naples on 12 April 1927, aged forty-six. He was beatified in 1975 and canonised by Pope John Paul II on 25 October 1987. His feast is celebrated on 16 November.

He also wrote a number of medical research papers and was remembered by colleagues for his care. He often attended daily Mass before beginning his working day. After his death thousands came to his funeral in Naples, and his tomb in the church of the Gesù Nuovo is now visited by many patients.

Works and witness

• Graduated in medicine at Naples in 1903; worked at the Incurabili hospital
• Helped evacuate patients during the Vesuvius eruption of 1906
• Took part in the cholera response in Naples in 1911
• Taught at the university and treated the poor free; canonised in 1987

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

• Martyrologium Romanum
• Dicastery for the Causes of Saints – biographical profile
• Positio super vita et virtutibus of Giuseppe Moscati

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