Saint of the Day: Bl. Clemente Vismara

PIME Missionary Priest (1897-1988)

His life

+ Born in Agrate Brianza, Italy, Clemente lost his parents when he was still quite young and was raised by his extended family before entering the seminary in 1913.

+ Drafted for military service during the First World War, he was awarded three medals for bravery and was discharged with the rank of sergeant major. He resumed his seminary studies in what would become the home of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (a distinct religious community that has come to be known as the PIME Missionaries).

+ Ordained a priest in 1923, he was immediately assigned to Myanmar (formerly Burma), where he studied English and local dialects. The following year he established a new mission in Mong Lin.

+ Despite hostile conditions (several other missionaries died from disease and malnutrition), Father Clemente persevered and established new missions and trained members of the indigenous community in different trades that would benefit the local communities.

+ During the Second World War, he and other missionaries were imprisoned by the British army. Following his captivity, he was able to reopen the orphanage he had established.

+ In 1955, Clemente was sent to establish a new mission in Mong Ping and this became a mission base for the rest of his life. Over the course of the next thirty years, Father Clemente established numerous mission stations, the last of which was established in 1986.

+ Blessed Clemente died on June 15, 1988, and he was buried in Mong Ping in the square near the church which he built in 1962. He was beatified in 2011.

For prayer and reflection

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings of peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation.”—Isaiah 52:7

Spiritual bonus

On this day the Church also remembers Blessed Osanna Andreasi of Mantua. A Dominican tertiary, she was revered for her mystical experiences and care for the poor and sick, she died in 1505 and she was beatified in 1694.

Prayer

O God, by whose untold mercy blessed Clemente preached the good news of the unfathomable riches of Christ, grant that through his intercession we may grow in knowledge of you and, bearing fruit in every good work, faithfully walk in your presence, in accord with the truth of the Gospel. 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—For Missionaries)

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