Saint Giovanni Calabria

Biography

Saint Giovanni Calabria, also known as John Calabria and Johannes Calabria, was born on 8 October 1873 in Verona, Italy. He was the youngest of seven boys born to Luigi Foschi and Angela Calabria. Coming from a poor family, Giovanni faced early hardships when his father passed away when he was only nine years old. This unfortunate event forced him to leave school and take up an apprenticeship to support his family. Despite these challenges, Giovanni's strong desire for education led him to seek the assistance of a local priest who provided him with tutoring. With his determination and the help of this benevolent priest, Giovanni managed to complete his high school education. Giovanni felt a calling to serve God and the Church, leading him to enter the priesthood. He was ordained on 11 August 1901 and appointed as the rector of San Benedetto del Monte in 1907. It was during his time as a priest that he began to show great compassion and love for those less fortunate, particularly abandoned adolescents. Recognizing the need to provide a safe haven and a nurturing environment for these vulnerable young people, Saint Giovanni Calabria started a series of homes for abandoned adolescents throughout Italy. These homes aimed to offer love, care, and support to those who had nowhere else to turn. His dedication to their well-being was evident in his tireless efforts to create a better future for them. Building upon his work, Saint Giovanni Calabria founded the Congregation of the Poor Servants of Divine Providence. This congregation, which received diocesan approval on 11 February 1932 and papal approval on 25 April 1949, focused on serving the poor and marginalized. The Congregation established various ministries and services aimed at providing spiritual and material assistance to those in need. Saint Giovanni Calabria's commitment to the faith extended beyond his local community. He engaged in frequent correspondence, conducted in Latin, with the renowned author C. S. Lewis. Their intellectual exchanges reflected their shared love for knowledge and the pursuit of spiritual understanding. After a life dedicated to serving others, Saint Giovanni Calabria passed away on 4 December 1954 in San Zeno, Italy. His exemplary virtues and devotion to his ministry earned him the recognition of the Catholic Church. He was venerated on 16 January 1986 when Pope John Paul II declared his heroic virtues. Subsequently, he was beatified on 17 April 1988 by Pope John Paul II in Verona, Italy. Finally, he was canonized as a saint on 18 April 1999 by Pope John Paul II in Saint Peter's Square, Rome, Italy. Saint Giovanni Calabria is revered as the patron of the Poor Servants of Divine Providence and the Poor Sisters Servants of Divine Providence. His life serves as an inspiration to all, reminding us of the importance of caring for the marginalized and seeking to fulfill God's will through acts of love and compassion.