Garaventa, Lorenzo

GARAVENTA, LORENZO. - Priest, founder of the "school of charity," b. at Calcinara di Uscio (Genoa) in 1724; d. at Genoa in 1783. Of a well-to-do family, he conceived of life as a mission of redemption and preservation of poor children from the ages of 4 to 10, whom he saw kept away from the public schools in order to avoid "any social disturbance." He took them into his house, placing on the door the words: "Here school is done for charity"; he gave them instruction and education free of charge, later completing the infant or elementary courses with a school of arts and crafts. He sold his possessions and reduced himself to extreme poverty, to the point of often feeding on bread alone, in order to provide the pupils with stationery, books and the midday meal.

As the schools multiplied in the city, aided by the Republic and by the goodness of many patricians, he provided the pupils with clothing as well and concerned himself with the families of the poorest. By 1779 there was a Garaventan school in every sestiere, entrusted to priests, and the archbishop established a special collection in the church to maintain them.

The method of the school was "mutual instruction," employed even before A. Bell (1753-1782) and G. Lancaster (1778-1838) spoke of it, and assisted by a spirit of moderate emulation.

In 1822 the "schools of charity" were amalgamated with the municipal ones, and in 1837 the last Garaventan priests were replaced by the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

Celestino Testore