Saint Artemide Zatti

Biography

Saint Artemide Zatti, also known as Artémides, was born on 12 October 1880 in Boretto, Reggio Emilia, a town in northern Italy. He was the son of Albino Vecchi and Luigi Zatti and was one of three sons in a poor family. Unfortunately, due to financial difficulties, Artemide had to drop out of school at the young age of nine and started working for a wealthy neighbor to support his family. In search of better opportunities, the Zatti family immigrated to Bahia Blanca, Argentina. They arrived in Buenos Aires on 9 February 1897, hoping to find work and improve their circumstances. It was in Bahia Blanca that Artemide found employment at a tile factory and also had the opportunity to attend a local parochial school run by the Salesians. During this time, Artemide felt a deep calling to join the Salesians and dedicate his life to serving others. At the age of 20, he entered the Salesian seminary, known as Casa di Bernal, and began his journey towards priesthood. However, his path took an unexpected turn when he contracted tuberculosis while caring for a young Salesian priest who was suffering from the same disease. Artemide's dedication to caring for others extended beyond his own health. Despite the lack of effective treatment at that time, he was sent to San Josè Hospital for medical care. With little hope of a full recovery, Artemide turned to prayer, seeking the intercession of Our Lady, Help of Christians. He made a heartfelt promise to dedicate his life to the care of the sick if he were to be healed. Miraculously, Artemide experienced a complete healing from tuberculosis, leading him to fulfill his pledge. True to his word, Artemide began working in the San Jose pharmacy and learned about hospital management from Father Evarisio Garrone, who became his mentor. After Father Garrone's passing, Artemide assumed responsibility for the hospital and dedicated his spare time to providing care and comfort to the patients. His selfless service and compassionate nature endeared him to all those he encountered, and eventually, the hospital was named in his honor. Saint Artemide Zatti passed away on 15 March 1951, at the age of 70, after battling cancer in Bahia Blanca, Argentina. His relics were interred in the Salesian chapel at Viedma, Argentina. Recognizing his exemplary life of heroic virtue and dedication to serving the sick, Pope John Paul II declared him venerable on 7 July 1997. Subsequently, Saint Artemide Zatti's beatification took place on 14 April 2002, with Pope John Paul II acknowledging his holiness and declaring him a Blessed. Finally, on 9 October 2022, Pope Francis canonized him as a saint, recognizing his significant contributions to healthcare and his unwavering devotion to those in need. The canonization miracle attributed to Saint Artemide Zatti involved the healing of a man in Tanauan Batangas, Lipa, Philippines, on 24 August 2016. This individual had suffered a "right cerebellar ischemic stroke, complicated by massive hemorrhagic lesion." The severity of his condition was such that medical authorities had sent him home to spend his last moments with his family. However, through the intercession of Saint Artemide Zatti, the man experienced an unexpected and complete healing. Although Saint Artemide Zatti does not have a specific patronage assigned to him, he is widely revered as a model of selflessness, devotion, and compassionate care for the sick. His life and actions continue to inspire individuals around the world to emulate his example of service to others, particularly in the field of healthcare.