Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo
Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo was an Italian priest and saint who founded the Little House of Divine Providence, an institution dedicated to caring for the poor and marginalized. He is remembered for his profound commitment to charity, particularly in response to the social crises in Turin during the 19th century.
- Feast Day
- 30 April
- Century
- 19th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo was born in Bra, Kingdom of Sardinia, on may 3, 1786.
- ›He was ordained a priest on June 8, 1811.
- ›Inspired by the life of Vincent de Paul, Cottolengo dedicated himself to charitable work, founding the Little House of Divine Providence on January 17, 1828.
- ›The institution initially offered accommodation to the elderly and sick who were not accepted in hospitals.
- ›Cottolengo died of typhoid fever on April 30, 1842, while assisting his patients.
- ›He was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1934 and his feast day is celebrated on April 30.
Joseph Benedict Cottolengo
Infectious Diseases, Cirrhosis, Liver Diseases
About Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo
Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo (1786-1842) was an Italian priest and a saint of the Roman Catholic Church, most renowned as the founder of the Little House of Divine Providence. His life was dedicated to alleviating the severe social problems, poverty, and illness prevalent in Turin during the early 19th century.
Life and Ministry
Born into a middle-class family in Bra, Kingdom of Sardinia, Joseph Benedict Cottolengo entered the seminary and was ordained a priest in 1811. After serving as a curate and earning a doctorate in theology, he became a canon of the Basilica of Corpus Domini in Turin. He demonstrated an early commitment to the poor by donating all his personal income and stipends to them.
Turin faced significant challenges, including the aftermath of French occupation, widespread poverty, illiteracy, epidemics, and high infant mortality. Inspired by the life of Vincent de Paul, Cottolengo recognized his true vocation in charity. A pivotal moment occurred when he attended to a destitute, pregnant woman suffering from tuberculosis who was denied hospital admission. After her death and the death of her infant, Cottolengo was deeply affected and resolved to dedicate himself to such marginalized individuals.
Founding the Little House of Divine Providence
On January 17, 1828, Cottolengo began his charitable work by renting two rooms and offering free accommodation to an elderly paralytic. This initiative quickly evolved into a hospitality center for those turned away from conventional hospitals. He was soon assisted by a doctor, a pharmacist, and a group of "Ladies of Charity." During the cholera epidemic of 1831, his small hospital was closed by authorities, prompting Cottolengo to purchase a larger house in Valdocco. This marked the official beginning of the Little House of Divine Providence, which rapidly expanded with the help of benefactors, establishing an orphanage and various religious and lay communities.
Death and Legacy
Don Cottolengo contracted typhoid fever while caring for his patients and died on April 30, 1842. His institution, the Little House of Divine Providence, or "Cottolengo," continues to operate today, with religious communities of Fathers, Sisters, and Brothers working to spread God's love to the poor in facilities across Ecuador, India, Italy, Kenya, Switzerland, Tanzania, and the United States.
Cottolengo was beatified by Pope Benedict XV in 1917 and canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1934. His feast day is celebrated on April 30. He is invoked against infectious diseases and liver conditions, with a miracle attributed to him involving a nun's recovery from cirrhosis. Several places and institutions are named in his honor worldwide.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo born and when did he die?
Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo was born on May 3, 1786, and he died on April 30, 1842.
What is Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo famous for?
He is most famous for founding the Little House of Divine Providence, an institution dedicated to caring for the poor and marginalized. He is also a saint of the Roman Catholic Church.
What inspired Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo to start his charitable work?
Cottolengo was inspired to dedicate himself to charity after reading the life of Vincent de Paul and witnessing the severe social problems, poverty, and lack of medical care in Turin.
How did the Little House of Divine Providence begin?
It began in 1828 when Cottolengo sold his possessions to rent two rooms and offer accommodation to an elderly paralytic. The premises soon became a hospitality center for those not accepted in hospitals.
What is Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo invoked against?
He is invoked against infectious diseases. He is also invoked against cirrhosis and other liver diseases, following a miracle attributed to him where a nun miraculously recovered from cirrhosis after he appeared in a dream.
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