Saint Joseph Pignatelli

Biography

Saint Joseph Pignatelli, also known as Giuseppe Maria Pignatelli and José Pignatelli Moncayo, was born on 27 December 1737 in Zaragoza, Spain. His mother was Spanish, and his father was an Italian noble. Unfortunately, Joseph became an orphan at the tender age of nine. However, he found solace and a sense of purpose when he became a resident student at the Jesuit college in Zaragoza. At the age of 16, Joseph entered the Society of Jesus, joining the Jesuits in Taragona along with his brother. Throughout his life, Joseph was plagued by tuberculosis, which weakened him physically but did not deter his commitment to the priesthood. Despite his health struggles, he was ordained at the age of 25 in 1763. Joseph dedicated himself to teaching, serving as an instructor in various Jesuit institutions such as Manresa, Bilboa, and Zaragoza. He also exhibited great compassion by ministering to condemned men on death row, offering them spiritual guidance and solace in their final hours. In 1767, Saint Joseph Pignatelli, along with his fellow Jesuits, faced expulsion by order of King Charles III. Despite being given the option to stay due to his noble status, Joseph chose to leave with his exiled brothers. As they travelled, they discovered that the Jesuits were facing expulsion from most countries except Prussia and Russia. Undeterred, Joseph demonstrated unwavering determination by keeping a remnant of the order intact. Throughout the 41 years of the Suppression of the Society of Jesus, Joseph Pignatelli led and inspired the Jesuits, serving as the bridge between the old, suppressed Jesuits and the new ones who emerged after his death. During this difficult period, various groups of Jesuits reformed into societies such as The Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in France and The Society of the Faith of Jesus in Italy. While Joseph lived in Italy, he associated himself with the Jesuits in Russia, who remained active there. In 1775, Pope Pius VI granted permission for Jesuits from other countries to rejoin their Russian counterparts. Additionally, in 1799, the Pope approved the opening of a novitiate in Colorno, Italy, and appointed Joseph as the Master of Novices. In 1801, King Charles Emmanuel IV of Sardinia reinstated the Jesuits in his kingdom, eventually joining the order himself in 1815. It was in 1800 that Pope Pius VII, who desired to restore the Society of Jesus completely, faced challenging circumstances until the fall of Napoleon. Despite the Society's depleted resources, numerous requests poured in for the restored Jesuits to establish schools. Remarkably, within a year, the Society had as many members and foundations as it had in 1555. Saint Joseph Pignatelli died on 15 November 1811 in Rome, Italy, after a prolonged battle with tuberculosis. In recognition of his heroic virtues, Pope Benedict XV declared Joseph venerable on 25 March 1917. He was later beatified by Pope Pius XI on 21 May 1933 and canonized by Pope Pius XII on 12 June 1954. Although Saint Joseph Pignatelli is not officially recognized as a patron saint, his life serves as an inspiration to those facing adversity, demonstrating perseverance and unwavering faith in times of hardship.