Saint Who?
Saints Who Were Instruments of Healing
Saint Richard Pampuri
Religious († 1930)Feast Day: May 1
Richard was born into a large family in Trivolzio, Italy. His mother died when he was three years old, and his father died when he was ten. He was raised by relatives.
Encouraged by an uncle who was also a doctor, Richard decided to become a physician. World War I interrupted his studies, but he served in the medical corps. The suffering he saw in the war deeply affected him. After the war ended, he completed his studies and became a general practitioner. Around the same time, he founded a group of Good Samaritans devoted to providing medicine, food, and clothing to the poor, and he became the first president of a Catholic Action group in his parish.
But somehow Richard knew that God wanted even more from him. That’s when he decided to enter the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God. As a religious brother, he was finally able to combine his desire for holiness with his passion for alleviating the suffering of others. His first assignment was to serve as director of a dental clinic for poor children. Unfortunately, his service in the war had weakened his lungs, and he died a few years later. But Richard had devoted his life to caring for the sick, and it was not surprising that healing miracles were reported after his death.
Good Shepherd, may we patiently accept your guidance in great and small decisions.
