Bonaventure da Palazzolo

BONAVENTURA DA PALAZZOLO. - Franciscan missionary, born at Palazzolo (Vercelli) on 23 April 1601, of the Relli family, died at Torino on 2 October 1657. In 1628, urged by the S. Congregazione di Propaganda Fide and by Carlo Emanuele il Grande, prince of Piemonte, he founded the Franciscan mission among the populations of Pinerolo and the Valli di Luserna, already one-third won over to the heresy of the Waldensians and Lutherans. In 1632 he was sent by the S. Congregazione di Propaganda as prefect of the missions of the Reformed Minors to be established in Albania, Macedonia, and Serbia; this he accomplished amid great sacrifices and sufferings. He also worked extensively for the establishment in Italy of a large college for the training of the Albanian clergy, but did not succeed in this.