Born in Casoria (near Naples), Arcangelo Palmentieri was a
cabinet-maker before entering the Friars Minor in 1832, taking the name
Ludovico. After his ordination five years later, he taught chemistry,
physics and mathematics to younger members of his province for several
years.
In 1847 he had a mystical experience which he later described as a
cleansing. After that he dedicated his life to the poor and the infirm,
establishing a dispensary for the poor, two schools for African
children, an institute for the children of nobility, as well as an
institution for orphans, the deaf and the speechless, and other
institutes for the blind, elderly and for travelers. In addition to an
infirmary for friars of his province, he began charitable institutes in
Naples, Florence and Assisi. He once said, "Christ’s love has wounded my
heart." This love prompted him to great acts of charity.
To help continue these works of mercy, in 1859 he established the
Gray Brothers, a religious community composed of men who formerly
belonged to the Secular Franciscan Order. Three years later he founded
the Gray Sisters of St. Elizabeth for the same purpose.
Toward the beginning of his final, nine-year illness, Ludovico
wrote a spiritual testament which described faith as "light in the
darkness, help in sickness, blessing in tribulations, paradise in the
crucifixion and life amid death." The local work for his beatification
began within five months of Ludovico’s death. He was beatified in 1993.
Comment: Saintly people are not protected from suffering, but
with God’s help they learn how to develop compassion from it. In the
face of great suffering, we move either toward compassion or
indifference. Saintly men and women show us the path toward compassion.
Quote: Ludovico’s spiritual testament begins: "The
Lord called me to himself with a most tender love, and with an infinite
charity he led and directed me along the path of my life." |
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