LORGNA, GIOCONDO PIO. — Dominican, founder of the Dominican Sisters of Bl. Imelda (Imeldines), born at Tresana (Massa) on 27 September 1870, died at Venice on 8 July 1928.
Ordained a priest in 1893, after several years of teaching in Bologna and of fervent activity in Fontanellato (Parma), he became parish priest of SS. Giovanni e Paolo in Venice, where his zeal knew no limits. After many difficulties, he succeeded in founding the Institute of the Imeldines (30 October 1922), dedicated to the worship of the Eucharist and to the education of children. A religious and apostle, he spent his life in constant devotion to souls and in an ever-growing love of God, nourished by deep Eucharistic and Marian piety.
BIBL.: G. Leporati, Aurora consurgens, Fidenza 1934; P. Lorgna, Un'anima cristiana, Florence 1937; A. Portalippi, Profilo della vita di P. G. L., Venice 1950. Antonio Piolanti