At Galeazza, near Bologna in Italy, Blessed Ferdinand Mary Baccilieri, priest, who cared in every way for the people entrusted to him and founded the Congregation of the Servants of Mary to assist poor families and especially to instruct young girls.
Lifespan: 1821–1893
Beatified: 3 October 1999 by Pope John Paul II
Memoria liturgica: 13 July
As a poor “country curate,” as he liked to call himself, he tilled souls through vigorous preaching, in which he gave expression to his deep interior conviction.
Ferdinand Mary Baccilieri was born at Campodoso di Reno Finalese (Modena) on 14 May 1821 and from his adolescent years felt a strong desire to go and proclaim the Gospel in mission lands.
Frail health and pressing circumstances gradually made it clear that in God’s plans the mission field for Father Baccilieri would be Galeazza Pepoli.
Appointed parish priest in 1852, for forty-one years he guided that community with selfless dedication and pastoral generosity, declining even more elevated ecclesiastical appointments. In responding to the urgent needs of his people, he found himself founding, almost unexpectedly, the Congregation of the Sisters Servants of Mary of Galeazza. Filled with the Spirit of the Lord, he was a valued and enlightened spiritual guide of souls and consciences for people of every station.
Worn out in body, Ferdinand Mary died on 13 July 1893, surrounded by esteem and a widespread reputation for holiness.
The Holy Father John Paul II enrolled him among the Blessed on 3 October 1999. His body is enshrined in the parish church of Galeazza Pepoli.