Pavoni, Ludovico, Venerable

PAVONI, Ludovico, Venerable. - Founder of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception, b. at Brescia on 17 Sept. 1784; d. there on 1 April 1849.

Of keen intellect, he added to his literary studies those of painting, architecture, the mechanical arts and the sciences, almost as if foreseeing his future foundation. Ordained a priest in 1807, he held himself for 5 years at the disposal of parish priests for any ministry required, while at the same time exerting himself for the good of many oratories, which had him as their founder or director. In 1817 he was appointed canon of the cathedral of Brescia and in 1818 rector of the church of St. Barnabas. He then opened next to the church a house to gather in orphaned or abandoned boys and offer them a school of arts and crafts, so that along with religion they might also learn the means of later earning a living. The work gradually expanded to the point of also taking in, in 1836, the orphans left by the plague; and in 1840, in a separate establishment, deaf-mute boys and youths. To consolidate and secure the work, he instituted a new congregation of priests and laymen, which he wished to call "Sons of the Immaculate Conception"; the former for the spiritual direction of the young, the latter to direct the workshops. He was its superior general until his death, extending the field of his zeal also into the neighboring dioceses, and assisting preaching with the good press. The reputation for holiness that he enjoyed in life and after death was the reason for the introduction of his process of beatification (1919).

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