Blessed Luigi Maria Monti

Biography

Blessed Luigi Maria Monti, also known as Aloisius Maria Monti or Aloysius Maria Monti, was born on July 24, 1825, in Bovisio Masciago, within the diocese of Milan, Italy. He was the eighth of eleven children, and his father died when Luigi was just twelve years old. To support his family, Luigi began crafting wooden items and soon became skilled in this trade.

Luigi's devotion to his Catholic faith was evident from an early age. After work hours, he would gather other devout craftsmen and farmers at his shop, forming a prayer group known as The Company of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This group, often referred to as The Company of Friars by the locals, focused on deepening their spiritual lives. As time went on, they expanded their ministry and began working with the poor and sick in their community.

In 1846, feeling a strong calling to dedicate his life to God, Luigi took private vows of chastity and obedience. This solemn commitment marked the beginning of a deeper spiritual journey for him. However, Luigi and the other members of his prayer group faced a challenging period due to the political climate of the time. They were falsely accused of conspiring against the Austrian forces occupying their village and subsequently jailed in Milan for ten weeks in 1851. It was only after authorities recognized that they were a religious, not a political group that they were released.

Following his release, Luigi decided to take his devotion and service to God even further. He joined the Sons of Mary Immaculate and spent six years as a novice, studying nursing. During this time, he developed a passion for caring for the sick and afflicted. In 1855, Luigi found himself directly involved in this work during the cholera epidemic in Brescia, Italy.

Collaborating with Father Luigi Dossi, Luigi founded The Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception. This religious congregation was dedicated to serving the sick, and Luigi himself worked tirelessly as its leader for the rest of his life. The Sons willingly ventured into the most dangerous and diseased areas to provide care and support where others were afraid to go. They even sacrificed their own beds, giving them to those in need.

Luigi and his Congregation established small communities throughout the region, where men served in hospitals and worked as traveling nurses for impoverished farmers. In 1882, the mission expanded, and they founded orphanages with attached schools, furthering their efforts to alleviate suffering and provide education for the less fortunate.

Although Luigi was a layman his entire life, he was reverentially called "Father" by the members of the Congregation and all those he assisted. He lived a life of true devotion and selflessness, always putting others before himself. Even as he aged and battled physical ailments, Luigi remained dedicated to serving the Congregation until his death.

On October 1, 1900, Luigi Maria Monti passed away in Saronno, Varese, Italy, at the age of 75. He was nearly blind and completely exhausted, having given his all for the sake of the Congregation and the sick. Luigi was buried in Saronno, where he is venerated to this day.

Recognition of Luigi's exemplary life and holiness came decades later. On April 24, 2001, Pope John Paul II declared his heroic virtues, signifying the advancement in his cause for sainthood. Then, on November 9, 2003, Pope John Paul II beatified Luigi Maria Monti, recognizing him as Blessed Luigi Monti. The beatification miracle involved the healing of Giovanni Luigi Iecle, a farmer from Bosa, Sardegna, in 1961.

Blessed Luigi Maria Monti's life serves as a profound testimony to the power of selflessness, compassion, and unwavering faith in God. His legacy continues to inspire countless others to follow in his footsteps and devote themselves to the service of the sick and vulnerable.