Saint Ludovico of Casoria

Biography

Saint Ludovico of Casoria, also known as Arcangelo Palmentieri or Louis, was born on 11 March 1814 in Casoria, Naples, Italy. He began his early life as an apprentice cabinet maker and displayed a deep sense of compassion and a desire to help those in need. It was this compassionate nature that eventually led him to join the Franciscan Friars Minor on 1 July 1832, taking the name Ludovico. As a young Franciscan friar, Ludovico dedicated himself to the pursuit of knowledge and education. He taught philosophy and mathematics to his fellow friars in Naples, Italy, imparting his wisdom and understanding to the next generation. However, Ludovico's true calling was to serve the poor and marginalized in society. Around the year 1852, he founded orphanages and dispensaries to provide assistance and care for those in need. He also opened a school specifically dedicated to educating young Africans who had been ransomed from slavery, recognizing the importance of education in empowering the disadvantaged. Ludovico's compassionate work extended even further as he established a school for the deaf and the mute, recognizing the importance of providing education and support for individuals with hearing and speech impairments. Additionally, he founded centers for the care of elderly friars, demonstrating his commitment to caring for the elderly members of the religious community who could no longer care for themselves. In 1859, Ludovico founded the Frati Bigi della Carita (Gray Friars of Charity) to take over the institutions and initiatives he had founded. These Gray Friars received Vatican approval in 1877 and began their work in Italy and among Italian immigrants in the United States. Unfortunately, due to a lack of members, the Gray Friars of Charity were disbanded in 1971, but their legacy of caring for the poor and vulnerable lives on. Recognizing the need for a female counterpart to continue the work begun by the Gray Friars, Ludovico went on to establish the Suore Elisabettiane Bigie (Franciscan Sisters of Saint Elizabeth; Gray Sisters of Saint Elizabeth) in 1862. These Sisters continue to carry out his mission of compassion and service today in Italy, the United States, Ethiopia, India, Panama, and the Philippines, making a significant impact on the lives of those they serve. Saint Ludovico of Casoria was venerated by Pope Paul VI on 13 February 1964, who recognized his heroic virtues. He was later beatified by Pope John Paul II on 18 April 1993, and finally canonized by Pope Francis on 23 November 2014. Though he is not officially recognized as the patron saint of any specific cause or group, Saint Ludovico's life and work serve as a shining example of selfless service and dedication to the poor and vulnerable. His legacy continues to inspire and serve as a testament to the power of compassion and love in action.