PORRO, GIOVANNI ANGELO, Blessed. - Servite of Mary, born in Milan around 1450 from a noble family, died there on 24 October 1506.
At the age of fifteen he entered the Order of the Servites of Mary, and in 1473 he was ordained a priest. For several years he devoted himself to the eremitical life and enjoyed special mystical graces. A promoter of strict observance, he was repeatedly master of novices in Florence and prior in Monte Senario, Chianti, and Milan, distinguishing himself for his charity and apostolic zeal. With his disciples he founded the Congregation of the Sons of the New Observance of the Servites of Mary, directly dependent on the General Prior of the Order.
In Milan, he was the first to begin teaching Christian doctrine to children: “he stood at the door of his church and along the streets seeking out children and bringing them to school to teach them Christian doctrine.” The cult of Bl. GIOVANNI ANGELO PORRO was confirmed by Clement XII (15 July 1737). Feast day: 24 October.