Saint Who?
Saints Who Were Missionaries
Blessed Giovanni Schiavo
Priest and religious († 1967) Feast: January 27
Giovanni was born to poor but pious parents in northern Italy. He contracted meningitis as a child and almost died. But he survived, and, guided by his parish priest, discerned a call to the priesthood. He had been educated at a school run by the Congregation of Saint Joseph, a relatively new order also known as the Murialdines, and he decided to join them.
Giovanni was ordained a priest at the age of twenty-four. He begged to be sent to the order’s missions in South America despite the danger of violent persecution. He was eventually sent to Brazil, where he spent the rest of his life.
Jõao (the Portuguese version of his name) served his order as a hardworking parish priest, novice master, and administrator, and he was eventually named provincial superior. In that position, he organized the construction of many schools and missionary works for children, teens, and poor communities. Over the years, he also taught classes and directed schools. But what impressed others most about him was his holy personality. He was devout and zealous in his desire to bring souls to Christ, but he was also friendly, sympathetic, patient, and spiritually sensitive to the needs of others, bringing peace and joy to his community. Giovanni died a peaceful, resigned death from liver cancer at the age of sixty-three.
Heavenly Father, give us the peace that the world cannot give,
that we may share that peace with others.
