Saint of the Day: Bl. Giovanni Fornasini

Priest and Martyr (1915-1944)

His life

+ Giovanni was born in Pianaccio di Lizzano, Bologna, Italy, and studied in Porretta Terme, although he did not graduate. After leaving school, he worked as an elevator operator at the Grand Hotel in Bologna. 

+ In 1931, he began seminary studies was ordained a priest for the archdiocese of Bologna in 1942, during the ravages of World War II.  

+ Father Giovanni’s first assignment was as assistant priest in Sperticano. His pastoral ministry was shaped by the realities of the war and he soon gained a reputation as being a man of action. He offered aid to those who had been displaced, helped other escape persecution by the Nazis, and offered shelter in his rectory to peoples whose homes had been destroyed by bombings. He was often seen traveling on his bicycle to nearby towns to assist those most in need.

+ Giovanni bravely exercised his priestly ministry despite the Nazi occupation and harassment by Fascist authorities. He offered Christian burial to their victims and even offered himself in place of those whom had been imprisoned. On October 12, 1944, he protected a young woman (other sources say two young women) from sexual assault by SS soldiers. 

+ He was murdered by Nazi soldiers the following day (October 13) in Marzabatto, although the details of his death are unknown. His body was recovered in the spring of 1945 after the Nazi withdrawal from Italy. He was given Christian burial on October 13, 1945, in his own parish in Sperticano. In 1950, he was posthumously awarded Italy’s Gold Medal of Military Valour in honor of his efforts to protect his people.

+ Blessed Giovanni Fornasini was beatified in 2021. 

For prayer and reflection

“A parish priest zealous in charity, he did not abandon his flock during the tragic period of the Second World War, but rather he defended it to the point of bloodshed. May his heroic witness help us to face life’s trials with fortitude.”—Pope Francis

Prayer

Almighty and merciful God, who brought your Martyr blessed Giovanni to overcome the torments of his passion, grant that we, who celebrate the day of his triumph, may remain invincible under your protection against the snares of the enemy. 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

(from The Roman Missal: Common of Martyrs—For One Martyr)
Saint profiles prepared by Fr. Silas Henderson, S.D.S