Benedetto Menni, O.H. (1841-1914)

In the face of persecution, this Italian saint restored his order in several countries . . .

Benedetto Menni

Feast Day: April 24
Canonized: November 21, 1999

A native of Milan, Italy, this modern saint served as a stretcher-bearer during the Second Italian War of Independence. Horrified by the war, he left military service and asked God for direction. Inspired by the spirit of St. John of God, he entered the Order of the Hospitallers of St. John of God in 1860, took the name Benedetto, and began studies for the priesthood.

Ordained in 1866, he had an audience the next year with Blessed Pope Pius IX, and the pontiff sent him to Spain to restore the Hospitallers there.

Benedetto faced many trials, including death threats and expulsion by anti-Catholic elements. He reestablished the Hospitallers in Portugal in 1893 and Mexico in 1901.

Under his leadership, the order opened 15 hospitals for sick children, epileptics and the mentally ill — as well as schools for poor children and orphans. Benedetto also co-founded the Hospitaller Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1881. He faced calumnies and attacks by enemies of the Church, but he endured them with fortitude and charity. He died, exhausted by his ministries, in northern France in 1914.

Pope John Paul II observed: “His spirituality was born of his own experience of God’s love for him. He carried out his service … to society with a humility based on hospitality and blameless integrity, which made him a model for many.”

This column is written for Legatus by Dr. Matthew Bunson, editor of “The Catholic Answer Magazine” and author of “John Paul II’s Book of Saints.”