Saint John Baptist Rossi

His life:

+ John Baptist was born in Votaggio, Italy. After being educated by various religious communities, he was ordained a priest in 1721.

+ Assigned to Rome, he helped establish a hospice for homeless women. He also served as a minister and catechist for local tradesmen, and showed special care for the sick, prostitutes, and prisoners.

+ Although he had epilepsy, he fully engaged in his ministry, despite his fear of having seizures during Mass or while hearing confessions.

+ Known for his strong devotion to the Eucharist and his particularly devotion to Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, he made himself available to those who were most in need. He was a beloved preacher and confessor.

+ Saint John Baptist Rossi died after a series of strokes in 1764. During the final years of his life, he lived in the Roman church Santa Trinita dei Pellegrini, where his relics were first enshrined. In 1965, his remains were translated to a new church in Rome built in his honor.

For prayer and reflection:

“This is the steward, faithful and prudent,
whom the Lord set over his household,
to give them their allowance of food at the proper time.”—Communion antiphon from the Common of Pastors

Spiritual bonus:

On May 23, the friars and nuns of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy (the “Mercedarians”) celebrate the memory of 20 Mercedarian friars who were murdered by Huguenots (French Reformed Protestants) in Béziers, France, in 1562.

Prayer

We humbly ask you, almighty God,
that at the intercession of blessed John Baptist Rossi
you may multiply your gifts among us
and order our days in peace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal: Common of Pastors)

Saint profiles prepared by Father Silas Henderson, S.D.S.