Giustino Russolillo
Giustino Russolillo was an Italian Catholic priest and founder of the Vocationists, the Vocationist Sisters, and the Secular Institute of the Apostles of Universal Sanctification. He dedicated his life to promoting and cultivating vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life among young people. Russolillo was beatified in 2011 and canonized in 2022.
- Century
- 20th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›He was born in Pianura in 1891 and ordained a priest in 1913.
- ›In 1920, he founded the Vocationist Fathers and in 1921, the Vocationist Sisters.
- ›He vowed to establish a religious congregation for promoting vocations upon his ordination.
- ›Russolillo was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on may 7, 2011.
- ›He was canonized by Pope Francis on may 15, 2022, following the approval of a miracle.
- ›His orders now serve in numerous nations across Latin America, Africa, Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia.
Giustino Maria della SS. Trinità in religion, Blessed Justin
Vocationists
About Giustino Russolillo
Giustino Russolillo (18 January 1891 – 2 August 1955) was an Italian Catholic priest and a pivotal figure in the promotion of religious vocations. He is best known as the founder of the Vocationists, a religious congregation of priests, and the Vocationist Sisters, as well as the Secular Institute of the Apostles of Universal Sanctification. Born in Pianura, Italy, Russolillo dedicated his life to nurturing young people's awareness of God's call and guiding them toward lives of service in the priesthood and consecrated religious life.
Life and Ministry
Born into a large family, Giustino Russolillo was baptized shortly after his birth in 1891. He received his early education and training for the priesthood in Pozzuoli, where he studied Latin. He was ordained a priest on September 20, 1913, with a solemn vow to establish a religious congregation focused on fostering vocations. Following his ordination, he served as the parish priest of San Giorgio's church in Pianura. It was from this pastoral role that he formally established the Vocationist Fathers on October 18, 1920, and the Vocationist Sisters on October 2, 1921. These orders eventually gained diocesan and later pontifical approval, expanding their reach both in Italy and internationally, with missions established in countries across Latin America, Africa, Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia.
Sainthood
Giustino Russolillo's path to sainthood began with the commencement of his beatification process in 1977. He was declared Venerable by Pope John Paul II on December 18, 1997, in recognition of his heroic virtue. The process for beatification involved the validation of a miracle attributed to his intercession, which was approved by Pope Benedict XVI on July 1, 2010. Cardinal Angelo Amato presided over his beatification ceremony in Naples on May 7, 2011. Further recognition came on October 27, 2020, when Pope Francis promulgated a decree approving a second miracle, paving the way for Russolillo's canonization on May 15, 2022.
Writings and Legacy
Russolillo's spiritual and pastoral insights are preserved in his collected works, known as the "Opera Omnia," which comprise 27 volumes in Italian, with some translated into English. Notable among his writings are books such as "Ascension," "Spirit of Prayer," and "Journey toward the Espousal Union." His legacy endures through the continued work of the Vocationist family, which remains committed to identifying and forming future priests and religious sisters, fulfilling his lifelong mission of responding to the divine call.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Giustino Russolillo born and when did he die?
Giustino Russolillo was born on January 18, 1891, and died on August 2, 1955.
What religious orders did Giustino Russolillo found?
He founded the Vocationists (Vocationist Fathers), the Vocationist Sisters, and the Secular Institute of the Apostles of Universal Sanctification.
Why is Giustino Russolillo significant in the Catholic Church?
He is significant for his dedicated work in promoting, cultivating, and educating young people about God's call, helping them fulfill religious vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.
When was Giustino Russolillo beatified and canonized?
He was beatified on May 7, 2011, under Pope Benedict XVI, and canonized on May 15, 2022, by Pope Francis.
What are some of the writings of Giustino Russolillo?
His writings have been collected in 27 volumes of "Opera Omnia," with some prominent titles including "Ascension," "Spirit of Prayer," and "Let us make man, part I and II."
Related Saints
Agostino Roscelli
Agostino Roscelli was an Italian priest canonized as a saint in the Catholic Church. He is remembered for his significant social work in Genoa, Italy, particularly his efforts to help disadvantaged children and women through vocational training and residential care.
Alfonso Maria Fusco
Alfonso Maria Fusco was a Roman Catholic priest and the founder of the Sisters of Saint John the Baptist, also known as the Baptistine Sisters. His mission focused on evangelizing, educating, and promoting faith among poor or abandoned adolescents. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2001 and canonized by Pope Francis in 2016.
Annibale Maria di Francia
Saint Annibale Maria di Francia was an Italian priest and founder of religious congregations, most notably the Rogationist Fathers and the Daughters of Divine Zeal. He is remembered for his profound dedication to the "Rogate," the prayer for vocations, and for establishing numerous orphanages and charitable institutions.