From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

3 April =E2=80=93 St Luigi Scrosoppi C.O.
(1804-1884 died aged 79)

Priest, Founder, Apostle of Charity =E2=80=93 Patron of Sisters of Providen=
ce
of Saint Cajetan of Thiene, footballers and Aids sufferers.

Luigi Scrosoppi (1804-84) spent much of his life fighting
anti-clericalism in Italy and brought comfort to the poor. The son of
a jeweller, Aloysius Scrosoppi =E2=80=93 always known as Luigi =E2=80=93 wa=
s born in
Udine, in northeast Italy. His family was extremely devout, and his
two elder brothers, Carlo and Giovanni, were ordained before him.

Luigi grew up during famine, typhus and smallpox endemics. Even as a
boy he felt the obligation to provide relief, inspired by Matthew
25:40: =E2=80=9CInasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these=
my
brethren, you have done it unto me.=E2=80=9D At 25, the year before he was ordained, Luigi joined a group of priests and young teachers dedicated
to educating poor and abandoned girls, both in the town of Udine and
in the surrounding countryside.

He gave himself tirelessly to fundraising and was soon running an
organisation which accommodated over 300 students in a building which
became known as the House of the Destitute. Scrosoppi, however, was
not inclined to take any credit. =E2=80=9CThe Providence of God,=E2=80=9D h=
e wrote,
=E2=80=9Cwho prepares minds and hearts to undertake his works, was alone th=
e
founder of this Institute.=E2=80=9D

He gathered together a team of young women to teach sewing and
embroidery. Nine of them decided to mark their dedication more
formally and in 1837, under Luigi Scrosoppi's direction, constitute=
d
themselves the Sisters of Providence. The congregation received
official recognition from Pope Pius IX in 1871.

In 1846, aged 42, Luigi Scrosoppi, joined the Congregation of the
Oratory in Udine and redoubled his work for the Sisters of Providence, promising to found 12 houses for them before he died. This target he
achieved and also opened a school for deaf-mute girls. In the 1860s
the anti-clerical policies of the government in the Udine region
forced the Oratory to close. But Luigi Scrosoppi's determination an=
d
practical support enabled the Sisters of Providence to carry on their
work.

Now an old man, but with his habitual openness of spirit, he
understood that the time had come to hand over the reins to the
Sisters, and this he did with tranquility and hope. At the same time
he maintained contact with them all through his letters in which he strengthened the ties of affection and love, and in his paternal
concern never tired of recommending community spirit and trust.

Through his deep union with God and his experience over many years
Father Luigi had acquired a special spiritual wisdom and intuition
which enabled him to read hearts: sometimes he even revealed the gift
of knowledge about secret inner thoughts and situations which were
known only to the person concerned.

At the end of 1883, as his strength began to decline, he was forced to
give up all work, and he constantly suffered from a high fever. The
illness took its inexorable course. He retold the Sisters not to be
afraid =E2=80=9Cbecause it was God who raised up their religious family and made it grow and He it is who will see to its future=E2=80=9D.

When he knew the end was near, he wished to greet everyone. So he
wrote his last words to the Sisters: =E2=80=9CAfter my death, your
Congregation will have many troubles but afterwards it will have a new
life. Charity! Charity! This is the spirit of your religious family:
to save souls and to save them with Charity=E2=80=9D.

During the night of Thursday, the 3rd of April 1884, he finally went
to meet Jesus. The whole of Udine and the people of the surrounding
countryside hastened to see him one last time and to beg his
protection from heaven.

Through his efforts on behalf of the little ones, of the poor, of
young people in difficulty, of those who are suffering, of all those
living in trying circumstances, Father Luigi still continues today to
show everyone the path of union with God, of compassion and of love,
and is still ready to accompany the steps of those who entrust
themselves to the Providence of God.

St. Luigi Scrosoppi was canonised on June 10, 2001 =E2=80=93 It was at the intercession of St Luigi that a Zambian man, now Fr Peter Changu
####ima, was miraculously cured of AIDS in 1996. He was at that time a
member of the Oratory at Oudtshoorn, near Cape Town in South Africa
and it was to a member of St Philip's family that his friends turne=
d
for help.

Read the full story here https://zenit.org/articles/the-aids-miracle-that-led-to-a-canonization/

Nine years later, he was named as patron saint of footballers (soccer
players) by Bishop Alois Schwarz. Today his name is invoked by
sufferers from Aids.

https://anastpaul.com/2017/04/03/


Reflection.
The soul cannot truly serve God while it is involved in the
distractions and pleasures of the world. Saint Honoratus knew this,
and chose to be a servant of Christ his Lord. Resolve, in whatever
state you are, to live absolutely detached from the world in spirit,
and to separate yourself corporeally as much as possible from it.

Saint Quote:
Woe to me if I should prove myself but a halfhearted soldier in the
service of my thorn-crowned Captain.
--Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen

<><><><>
Memorare to Jesus, Mary and St. Joseph

Remember, O Merciful Jesus, Immaculate Mary and glorious St. Joseph
that no one has ever had recourse to Your Protection, or implore Your assistance without obtaining relief. Animated with a like confidence,
but weighted down by my sins, I prostrate myself before You. O! Reject
not my petitions, but graciously hear and grant them. Amen.


--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
* Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)