Bertoni, Gaspare, Venerable

BERTONI, GASPARE, venerable. - Founder of the Stigmatines, b. in Verona on 9 October 1777, d. there on 12 June 1853. As a young priest, he introduced Marian oratories into his city (1802); and around the first institution in his native parish of S. Paolo di Campo Marzio, he established classes in Christian doctrine and elementary instruction, small exhibitions of arts and crafts, a recreation centre and a patronage with vocal and instrumental music. The French government suppressed the oratories in 1807, but seven years later, with the change of government, they revived, in a simpler yet no less effective form, for boys and girls; they subsequently spread throughout the city and diocese. B. also maintained a free secondary school for almost thirty years. Moreover, he was an apostle to the clergy, through the spiritual direction of the seminary and the office of examiner of ecclesiastical vocations; a zealous missionary, from pulpit and confessional; and, for half a century, the hidden inspirer of almost all Verona’s religious and charitable works. Rosmini too received counsel and comfort from him. In adverse times, B. gave an example of profound attachment to the Holy See. He endured very long illnesses and numerous surgical operations with fortitude. The introduction of his cause was recorded in 1906.

Giuseppe Stofella