Blessed Stephen Bellesini

Biography

Blessed Stephen Bellesini, also known as Aloysius Bellesini and Stefano Bellesini, was born on 25 November 1774 in Trent, Italy, to a noble Italian family. At the age of 16, he joined the Augustinian order and took the name Stephen. On 31 May 1794, he made his profession as an Augustinian.

Stephen furthered his studies in Rome and Bologna, becoming a devoted scholar. However, during the French Revolution, religious houses in the region, including the Augustinian monastery where Stephen was studying, were shut down by troops. This forced Stephen to discontinue his studies and left him without his religious community.

Undeterred, Stephen turned his attention to preaching and religious education, particularly for children. He established a free school for impoverished children in Trentino, called La Scola per gnent (The School for Nothing). This institution quickly gained recognition and boasted nearly 500 students and several lay teachers. Stephen's work and dedication impressed the governors of Trent, Italy, who appointed him as the inspector of the province's schools.

Thankfully, the Augustinians were eventually restored, allowing Stephen to return to religious life. He served as a novice master in Rome and Citta delle Pieve, Italy. In 1831, he became a parish priest in Genazzano, Italy, where the shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel is located. Stephen's devotion to his parishioners was evident in his countless sick calls and in his tireless efforts to serve the victims of a cholera epidemic in 1840. Tragically, he contracted the disease himself after being accidentally injured while visiting the sick.

Blessed Stephen Bellesini is venerated on 2 February, with an additional feast day on 3 February for the Augustinians. He died on 2 February 1840, succumbing to cholera and an infection that developed from a cut on his leg. Recognizing his holiness and the impact he had on the community, Pope Leo XIII declared him venerable on 14 May 1896. Later, on 27 December 1904, Pope Pius X beatified him.

Blessed Stephen Bellesini's life was marked by his dedication to education, passionate preaching, and selfless service to the sick and suffering. His resilience in the face of adversity and his deep commitment to the wellbeing of others continue to inspire followers of the Catholic faith today.