Carlo Cavina

Carlo Cavina (born August 29, 1820 in Castel Bolognese near Imola , Italy ; † September 15, 1880 in Lugo ) was an Italian priest of the Catholic Church and founded the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Francis de Sales of Lugo .

Childhood and youth

Carlo Cavina was born on August 29, 1820 in Castel Bolognese near Imola in Italy. He was the third child of Salvatore Cavina and his wife Luisa, née Minardi. Very early on he decided to become a Catholic priest. Right after finishing high school, he entered the Imola seminary. He was ordained a priest on January 10, 1843 .

Priestly years

As soon as he was ordained a priest, he became an educator in the seminary of Imola. This task was a great challenge for him. As a newly ordained priest, he should be responsible for the formation of future priests. In this difficult situation, Carlo Cavina sought help from a saint who remained his great role model until his death: Francis de Sales , Bishop of Geneva-Annecy at the beginning of the 17th century. Cavina was particularly impressed by the tireless pastoral and missionary commitment of the saint, which was supported by an unconditional trust in God.

After five years of teaching in seminary, Carlo Cavina became pastor of Monte Catone, a small parish in the hilly countryside of Imola, in 1848. Two years later, in 1850, he was appointed provost of the college church in Lugo.

Carlo Cavina was open to everyone, the poor and the rich, employers and employees, parents and children, old and young. Even when faced with resistance and insurmountable difficulties, he never lost heart.

Foundation of the Daughters of St. Francis de Sales of Lugo

Convinced that the youth of Italy needed a solid Christian upbringing , he founded the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Mary on August 23, 1872 with Sr. Theresa Fantoni and Sr. Luigia Montanari . Francis de Sales of Lugo . Based on the spirituality of St. Franz von Sales , above all, take care of the education of children and young people in schools, boarding schools, apprentice homes and orphanages.

death

Carlo Cavina died on September 15, 1880 at the age of 60. His daughters of St. St. Francis de Sales are today a worldwide religious order that is primarily concerned with the upbringing and education of young people.

literature

• Angelo Montonati: Where the Cross touches - The story of Don Carlo Cavina, Head Priest of Lugo and founder of the sisters "Daughters of St. Francis de Sales" . Cinisello Balsamo (Milan), Edizione San Paolo. 1997
• P. Luigi Malamocco: Il cielo è semper azzurro - Don Carlo Cavina e la sua passione per Cristo . Feleto Umberto, Edizioni Segno. 2003

Web links

• Pedigree of the Salesian Family
• Lexicon on Francis de Sales, the Salesian Family and Salesian Spirituality