BERTONI, GASPARÉ, VENERABILE

GASPARÈ BERTONI, Venerable. — Founder of the Stimmatini, born in Verona on 9 October 1777, died there on 12 June 1853. As a young priest, he introduced Marian oratories into his city (1802); around the first institute in his native parish of S. Paolo di Campo Marzio, he established classes of Christian doctrine and elementary instruction, small exhibitions of arts and crafts, recreation rooms, and a patronage system with vocal and instrumental music. The French government suppressed the oratories in 1807, but seven years later, with the change of government, they were revived in a simpler but no less effective form for both male and female youth, and then spread throughout the city and diocese. For nearly thirty years, B. also maintained a free gymnasium. Moreover, he was an apostle to the clergy, directing the seminary spiritually and serving as examiner of ecclesiastical vocations; a zealous missionary from the pulpit and confessional; and for half a century, the secret animator of almost all the religious and charitable works in Verona. He also gave counsel and comfort to Rosmini. In adverse times, B. set an example of profound attachment to the Holy See. He endured lengthy illnesses and numerous surgical operations with great fortitude. The introduction of his cause was marked in 1906.