STURLA, LUIGI. - Born in Genova on 27 Aug. 1805, died there on 19 Apr. 1865. Former apostolic prefect of Aden.
A priest of great piety and zeal, FRASSINETTI, GIUSEPPE (v.) and founder of the Pious Works of St Raphael and St Dorothy for the teaching of catechism, and of the “Congregation” Leonardo da Porto Maurizio (v.) for the education of the clergy. Hated by the liberals, who expelled him from Genova in 1848, he offered himself to the S. C. de Propaganda, which sent him to Aden, where he served as military chaplain to the English garrison and cared for that Catholic community; for several years he was also Massaja (v.), who loved him greatly. De Jacobis (v.) called S. “the angel of all those regions.” He was held in the highest esteem also by the English authorities, who generously assisted him in his charitable works. He returned to Italy in 1857, when the mission was finally able to acquire a stable organization through its transfer to the Capuchins. He died with a reputation for holiness.