Luigi Savaré
Italian priest (1878-1949) dedicated to the education of youth and social works in Lodi, declared Venerable by Pope Francis.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
5 reading sections
Biography
Birth of Luigi Savarè in Cremona, his youth in a pious family, his entry into the seminary of Lodi, and his priestly ordination in 1903.
Luigi Davide Savarè was born on August 15, 1878, in Cremona, Lombardy (Italy). The son of Giuseppe Savarè and Graziosa Grioni, he grew up in a modest and pious family originally from Lodi. His older brother, Bernardo, joined the Salesian congregation under the direction of Saint John Bosco and became a priest in 1890. In 1883, the family moved to Lodi, where Luigi entered the episcopal seminary in 1891. Marked by Marian piety and the encyclical Rerum Novarum of Leo XIII, he prepared rigorously for the priesthood. He was ordained a priest in June 1903 in the cathedral of Lodi by Bishop Giovanni Battista Rota.
Life and work
The ministry of Father Luigi Savarè in Corno Giovine and Lodi, marked by numerous social and educational initiatives and the founding of the sanctuary of Santa Maria Ausiliatrice.
Initially a vicar in Corno Giovine (1903-1908), Father Luigi Savarè actively campaigned against poverty by creating the Cooperativa Fornace, a wine cooperative, a patronage, and the Christian Democratic League. Appointed coadjutor of the Lodi Cathedral in 1908, he directed the Oratory of San Luigi Gonzaga from 1909 to 1945. There, he developed sports and cultural activities and the newspaper Stille benefiche. During the First World War, he opened the Casa del Soldato and taught at the seminary. In 1923, he launched the construction of the sanctuary of Santa Maria Ausiliatrice, which was inaugurated in 1924. In recognition of his work, Pope Pius XII named him a Secret Chamberlain in 1939.
Journey toward holiness
Nicknamed the 'Don Bosco of Lodi', Father Luigi Savarè led a life of absolute poverty and total dedication until his death in 1949.
Nicknamed the "Don Bosco of Lodi" for his dedication to youth, Father Luigi Savarè lived in absolute evangelical poverty despite the significant funds he managed for his works. Wearing worn-out clothes and shoes with holes, he enjoyed a great reputation for holiness. Hospitalized in February 1949 at the Santa Savina clinic in Lodi due to the deterioration of his health, he passed away on March 22, 1949. His funeral drew an immense crowd and he was buried at the sanctuary of Santa Maria Ausiliatrice.
Beatification and canonization
The opening of his cause for beatification in Lodi and the recognition of the heroic nature of his virtues by Pope Francis in 2014.
The cause for the beatification and canonization of Father Luigi Savarè was introduced in the Diocese of Lodi before being transmitted to Rome. On June 12, 2014, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues, thereby granting him the title of Venerable. The recognition of a miracle is now required for his beatification.
Spirituality and legacy
The spiritual pillars of Father Luigi Savarè and the continuity of his work in Lodi through the oratory, the sanctuary, and the Casa dell'Accoglienza.
The spirituality of Father Luigi Savarè is based on Eucharistic adoration, devotion to Mary Help of Christians, and meditation on the Scriptures. For him, a good director of a youth center must be perceived as holy, educated, and loving by the young people. His legacy continues today in Lodi through the Oratory, the sanctuary of Santa Maria Ausiliatrice, and the Casa dell'Accoglienza Don Luigi Savarè, a shelter for the homeless managed by Caritas.
Frequently asked questions about Luigi Savaré
Who was Luigi Savaré?
Italian priest (1878-1949) dedicated to the education of youth and social works in Lodi, declared Venerable by Pope Francis.
Which saints were contemporaries of Luigi Savaré?
Contemporaries include: Pauline of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus, Felipe de Jesús Munárriz and 50 companions, Mariano de Jesús Euse Hoyos and Teresa of Jesus of the Andes.
When did Luigi Savaré die?
Luigi Savaré died around 1949.
Who are the relatives of Luigi Savaré?
Relatives of Luigi Savaré: Giuseppe Savarè (father), Graziosa Grioni (mother) and Bernardo Savarè (brother).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Era / death: 1878-1949
- Decree of venerability by Francis