MONTORFANO, GIOVANNI PAOLO. — Promoter of catechetical instruction, born in Como, died 27 Dec. 1580. He was a companion of St JEROME EMILIANI in founding orphanages in Lombardy.
When the Somaschi Congregation united with the Theatines in 1549, M. professed their Rule and among the Theatines distinguished himself for zeal and piety. Faithful to the teaching of St Jerome, he composed a catechism for children in question-and-answer form (Modo breve e facile di ammaestrare i figlioli nella dottrina cristiana, Venice 1562), the first after the Council of Trent and earlier than the publication of the Roman Catechism. He was a companion of St ANDREW AVELLINO in founding the house at Piacenza, where he also facilitated the entry of the Somaschi; for them he also composed the Rules of the Compagnia dell’Oratorio at the Hospital of the Incurables in Venice (1568), which governed the schools of Christian doctrine throughout the city.