Nunzio Russo

The major work of Father Nunzio Russo is intimately linked to the foundation of the congregation of the Daughters of the Cross (Figlie della Croce).

Upon returning to Palermo, Father Russo founded in 1877 the "Pia Unione delle Sorelle della Dottrina Cristiana" (Pious Union of the Sisters of Christian Doctrine) to ensure the Christian education of children. Anxious to propagate the good press, he founded in 1880 the popular weekly Letture Domenicali (Sunday Readings) and installed a small printing press in his home (which would obtain the title of "Pontifical Typography" in 1884).

In 1882, he began to lead a community life with three other priests (Abbots Arena, Gentiluomo, and Montes) and founded the priestly congregation "De Conservanda Fide" under the patronage of Saint Francis de Sales, officially recognized by the Archbishop of Palermo on May 6, 1882. In 1883, he founded the female congregation of the "Daughters of Saint Francis de Sales" (Figlie di San Francesco di Sales) and opened the first Christian school for the formation of young girls in the Acquasanta district of Palermo.

However, misunderstandings and economic disputes with the Curia of Palermo led to a canonical investigation presided over by Cardinal-Archbishop Michelangelo Celesia. On January 25, 1891, Cardinal Celesia decreed the dissolution of the two congregations founded by Father Russo.

Father Russo accepted this painful trial in a spirit of heroic obedience. While the male branch did not revive, the female community reorganized in the diocese of Cefalù, in Castelbuono, under the name of Daughters of the Cross (Figlie della Croce). It received canonical approval from the Bishop of Cefalù, Msgr. Gaetano d'Alessandro, on September 7, 1893.

The mission of the Daughters of the Cross consists of assisting the parish clergy and dedicating themselves to the education of youth, particularly young girls. Although living in community and wearing a religious habit, the sisters did not originally take solemn vows, but rather an oblation to God and a promise of perseverance. In 1924, under the protection of Cardinal Alessandro Lualdi, the motherhouse of the institute was transferred to Palermo. The institute received the pontifical decree of praise on June 3, 1932, and was recognized as a religious congregation of pontifical right by the Holy See on December 13, 1974.

Father Nunzio Russo passed away in Palermo on November 22, 1906, after a brief illness, surrounded by a solid reputation for holiness. The cause for beatification and canonization was introduced in the Archdiocese of Palermo, under the decisive impetus of Mother Lucia Corsello. The diocesan inquiry into the life, virtues, and reputation for holiness of Father Russo was closed, and its legal validity was recognized by a decree of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on February 8, 2008. The Positio gathering the documents and testimonies was submitted for examination by the Roman Curia. On October 15, 2013, the congress of theological consultants gave a unanimous favorable opinion on the heroic nature of his virtues.

On December 1, 2016, Pope Francis received in audience Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic virtues of Father Nunzio Russo. By this act, the priest from Palermo was officially declared Venerable.

To date, no miracle has yet been officially recognized by the Holy See to pave the way for his beatification, and the cause is still under investigation.

Salesian spirituality and catechesis: Father Nunzio Russo was deeply influenced by the figure and writings of Saint Francis de Sales, whose gentleness and zeal for the salvation of souls he adopted. Convinced that religious ignorance was the greatest evil of his time, he wrote several catechism manuals, not only in Italian but also in the Sicilian dialect (vernacular) in order to reach the popular and marginalized classes. After the death of Cardinal Celesia, his catechisms were adopted in all the parishes of Sicily.

Social and ecclesial commitment: Father Russo was an active promoter of the Sicilian Catholic movement, fostering the creation of rural banks (Casse Rurali) to support workers. He also collaborated closely with Blessed Giacomo Cusmano, delivering the inaugural speech for the work of the "Boccone del Povero" (the Morsel of the Poor) on May 12, 1867.

Contemporary legacy: The Daughters of the Cross continue their mission of education and parochial apostolate today. The mortal remains of Father Nunzio Russo rest in the church of the Istituto San Giuseppe in Palermo (Corso Tuköry, 204), which houses the motherhouse of the congregation.