Marcantonio Durando

Marcantonio Durando CM - also Marco Antonio Durando (born May 22, 1801 in Mondovì ; † December 10, 1880 in Turin ) was an Italian religious priest. He was a member of the Lazarists and founded the Compagnia della Passione di Gesù Nazareno himself . He is counted among the Turin social saints .

Life

Durando came from a respected Piedmontese family. His brother Giacomo Durando was foreign minister in Urbano Rattazzis government from 1862. His brother Giovanni Durando was a general and leader of papal troops, however, in 1848 the orders of Pope Pius IX. opposed and instead joined the army of Piedmont to fight for the independence of Italy. On the other hand, Durando himself had the desire to go to China as a missionary at the age of 15. He entered the religious community of the Lazarists . He made his perpetual vows at the age of 18 and was ordained a priest on June 12, 1824 . But instead of going to China, he initially stayed in Casale Monferrato for five years and then from 1829 onwards in the Turin branch , of which he was superior from 1831 onwards. In 1837 he became a superior for the northern Italian province.

In 1855 he opened the Brignole Sale School to train priests for missions abroad. He campaigned for the popular mission and is considered a great admirer and supporter of the Miraculous Medal .

beatification

In 1928 the process of beatification was initiated by the Archdiocese of Turin . The apostolic process followed in 1940. On July 1, 2000, the heroic virtue level was established. On December 20, 2001, Pope John Paul II recognized a miracle at Durando's intercession and on October 20, 2002 he beatified him . His liturgical feast day is December 10th.

Web links

• Biography on vatican.va (English)