Francesco Paleari

Francesco Paleari spent the majority of his life at the Little House of Divine Providence in Turin. Endowed with a solid education, he taught Latin and philosophy at the Tommasini seminary and collaborated closely with Blessed Giuseppe Allamano at the Consolata Missionaries. A sought-after confessor and spiritual director at the diocesan seminary for over forty years, he was appointed canon in 1922, then pro-vicar general and vicar for consecrated life of the Archdiocese of Turin, all while continuing to humbly serve the sick and the poor.

After his death on May 7, 1939, his reputation for holiness drew an immense crowd to his funeral. In 1946, his remains were transferred to the church of the Little House of Divine Providence. The diocesan process opened in Turin in 1947, constituting an exception for the Cottolengo institute. The cause was officially introduced in Rome in 1979. On April 6, 1998, Pope John Paul II signed the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues, conferring upon him the title of Venerable.

The beatification of Francesco Paleari is based on the scientifically inexplicable healing of an 11-year-old child suffering from acute viral meningoencephalitis in June 1946. The decree of the miracle was promulgated by Pope Benedict XVI on December 10, 2010. The beatification ceremony was celebrated on September 17, 2011, in Turin, presided over by Cardinal Angelo Amato on behalf of the Pope. His liturgical memorial is set for September 18 or May 7.

Nicknamed the "little priest of the Cottolengo" because of his physical and spiritual resemblance to the founder, Francesco Paleari lived a spirituality of absolute trust in Divine Providence, Eucharistic love, and Marian devotion. His legacy lies in his role as a spiritual father to generations of priests and his testimony of gentleness toward the suffering. In 2015, Pope Francis praised the fruitfulness of his charism during his visit to Turin.