BELLESINI, STEFANO, Blessed. - Born in Trento on 25 Nov. 1774, died in Genazzano on 2 Feb. 1840. At the age of sixteen he entered the Augustinians, completing his novitiate in the convent of S. Giacomo in Bologna; he was then sent to Rome for philosophical studies. In 1796 he returned to Bologna for theology. When the revolution reached him, he was forced to take refuge in his homeland, where the following year he was ordained priest. In Trento, burning with zeal for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, he opened schools for the Christian formation of youth. The Austrian government, in recognition of his merits, appointed him general director of the schools of the principality of Trento. With the restoration of the religious Orders, B. returned to his brethren in 1817. He was elected master of novices in Rome, Città della Pieve, and Genazzano, where in 1831 he was appointed parish priest at the sanctuary of the Madonna del Buon Consiglio. He remained in this office until his death, which occurred while he was assisting apostates. Pius X beatified him on 27 Dec. 1904.
BELLESINI, STEFANO, BEATO
Bibl.: F. Balzofiore, Della vita del ven. servo di Dio S. B. parroco agost., Rome 1868; P. Billeri, Vita del b. S. B., ibid. 1904; F. Lepore, Compendio della vita del b. S. B., 2nd ed., ibid. 1933; V. F., L'atto di professione autografo del b. S. B., in Bollettino storico agostiniano, 11 (1933), pp. 71-76; Nel centenario della morte del b. S. B. 1840-1940, Pergine 1940 (single issue published by the diocese of Trento).