ENRICO BATTISTA STANISLAO VERJUS. – Bishop, missionary, b. at Oleggio (diocese of Novara) on 26 March 1860, d. there on 13 Nov. 1892.
Having soon moved to Savoy with his family, in 1872 he entered the Apostolic School of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and five years later, in 1877, their Congregation. Ordained priest in 1883, he left in 1884 for the vicariate of New Guinea. This mission field was in its early stages of evangelization, and the fierce and cannibalistic natives made the missionary’s work extremely difficult and perilous. Nevertheless, V. knew how to win the hearts of many and transform them into true Christians. In 1889 he was elected and consecrated vicar apostolic of New England; but before taking possession, he was appointed coadjutor to his own vicar apostolic of New Guinea. Returning then to Europe for the ad limina visit and to recruit missionaries, he was unexpectedly taken ill at Oleggio, whither he had gone to restore his strength in the native air. After ten days, an incurable illness led him to the grave. His cause of beatification was introduced on 11 March 1949.