Saint Luigi Scrosoppi of Udine

Saint Luigi Scrosoppi of Udine, also known as Aloisius Scrosoppi or Aloysius of Udine, was born on August 4, 1804, in Udine, Italy. He was the youngest of three brothers born to Domenico Scrosoppi, a jeweler, and Antonia Lazzarini. Luigi had two older brothers, Carlo and Giovanni, who later became priests. At the age of 11 or 12, Luigi witnessed a series of tragic events in his home region, including drought, famine, typhus, and smallpox. The immense misery and poverty that he saw, along with the number of orphans, deeply affected him and left a lasting impression on his young heart. In his teens, Luigi felt the call to the priesthood and decided to follow in the footsteps of his brother Giovanni. He entered the seminary and was ordained a deacon in 1826. On March 31, 1827, at the cathedral in Udine, he was ordained a priest, and his brothers assisted at his first Mass. After his ordination, Father Luigi became the director of the Pious Union of the Heart of Jesus Christ. He also helped manage the children's center run by his brother Carlo, who had established an orphanage. Father Luigi embraced a Franciscan way of life as a tertiary and became the assistant director of his brother's orphanage in 1829. The orphanage faced financial struggles, and in desperation, Luigi took to the streets to beg for support. Through an act of faith, the school received enough money to purchase their building. Realizing that there were more orphans than available space, Luigi decided to expand the house. He traveled throughout the countryside begging for building materials and labor. Construction began in 1834, with Luigi coordinating and supervising the project. The House for the Destitute was completed in 1836, providing a home for many orphans in need. In addition to the orphanages, Father Luigi's dedication to serving the poor attracted the attention of several women in the area who were also involved in helping the disadvantaged. Under the spiritual guidance of Father Carlo and Luigi, these women founded the Congregation of Sisters of Providence. The congregation focused on teaching basic academic subjects and needle crafts. It received final approval from Pope Blessed Pius IX on September 22, 1871, with Saint Cajetan as its patron. In 1846, Father Luigi joined the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri, a congregation dedicated to charity and learning. He was elected provost of the community on November 9, 1856. His charitable works continued, and he established the Rescue Home for abandoned girls in 1854. He also opened a school and home for deaf-mute girls on March 7, 1857, although sadly, this institution lasted only 15 years. Additionally, Father Luigi opened Providence House to provide shelter and support for his unemployed former students. He tirelessly served the sick and poor in hospitals. During his later years, Father Luigi faced challenges due to the anti-clerical sentiments that swept through Italy during the country's political unification. Many houses and religious groups, including the Oratory, were seized, closed, and their assets sold off. Despite this, Father Luigi was able to protect his charitable institutions and witnessed the growth and spread of the Congregation of Sisters of Providence. Saint Luigi Scrosoppi passed away on April 3, 1884, in Udine due to a fever and the postulant skin disease pemphigus. His life of dedication and service to the poor and abandoned earned him a place of veneration. Pope Paul VI venerated him on June 12, 1978, and he was beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 4, 1981. Finally, on June 10, 2001, Pope John Paul II canonized Saint Luigi Scrosoppi, with the miraculous cure of a Zambian AIDS victim, Peter Changu Shitima, serving as the canonization miracle. Although Saint Luigi Scrosoppi has not been officially recognized as a patron saint, his life and example continue to inspire individuals to serve the poor and marginalized. His dedication to the well-being and education of orphaned children and his commitment to helping others in need make him a model of Christian charity and love.