Didaco Bessi

The pastoral ministry of Father Didaco Bessi in Iolo took place during a period of difficult social and economic transition, marked by the shift from an agricultural economy to industrialization. Sensitive to the material and spiritual misery of his parishioners, he dedicated himself particularly to the education of poor children, visiting the sick, and accompanying the dying. On September 8, 1895, Father Didaco founded the "Institute of the Sisters of Charity of the Most Holy Virgin of the Rosary" (Istituto delle Suore di Carità della beatissima Vergine del Rosario), today known as the "Dominican Sisters of Saint Mary of the Rosary" (Suore Domenicane di Santa Maria del Rosario). He installed the first religious sisters (five young women from the parish) in rented premises, where a school for poor young girls was opened. At that time, many young girls were deprived of instruction and forced from childhood to braid straw for hat making. On September 26, 1900, the institute was officially affiliated with the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), allowing the sisters to take their vows of consecration during the first investitures celebrated on October 6 of the same year. The work focused on welcoming and educating orphans, caring for the sick at home, and providing spiritual assistance to the dying. At the same time, Father Didaco invested himself in other parochial and social works. He founded the Pious Association for the Adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament and, in December 1909, the Congregation of Christian Parents. Concerned with helping needy families facing usurers, he contributed to the creation of a Rural Bank (Cassa Rurale) managed by local Catholic laypeople. Between 1898 and 1899, he also undertook a complete restoration of the parish church of San Pietro, financing the work with his own funds and going into personal debt. These works allowed for the uncovering of precious frescoes from the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries.

Father Didaco Bessi died on May 25, 1919, in Iolo, at the age of 63, exhausted by his labors and deeply affected by family bereavements (the loss of his brothers Antonio and Giovanni, the latter of whom he had supported until his priesthood) as well as by the ravages of the First World War and the Spanish flu. He passed away in total destitution, having given away all his possessions, including his own mattress, to sleep on a simple straw pallet. His parishioners had to contribute to pay for his funeral, as not a single coin was found in his house. The reputation for holiness of Father Didaco Bessi has persisted well after his death. On May 25, 2003, his mortal remains were transferred to the new chapel of the Mother House of the congregation in Iolo, under the presidency of Msgr. Gastone Simoni, Bishop of Prato.

The cause for beatification and canonization was officially introduced at the diocesan level under the episcopate of Bishop Gastone Simoni. On May 8, 2008, the Dominican father Francesco Maria Ricci was appointed postulator of the cause. The diocesan inquiry into the life, virtues, and reputation for holiness of Father Didaco was officially opened on September 23, 2013, in the Cathedral of Prato by Bishop Franco Agostinelli, and was solemnly closed on October 21, 2016. On February 24, 2025, Pope Francis authorized the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree recognizing the heroic virtues of Father Didaco Bessi, thereby conferring upon him the title of venerable. To date, no miracle has yet been officially recognized to pave the way for his beatification.

The spirituality of Father Didaco Bessi rests upon an intimate union with Christ through the Eucharist and a filial devotion to the Virgin Mary, particularly under the title of Our Lady of the Rosary. Nicknamed "a pray-er" (un pregatore) by his contemporaries, he spent long hours in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. His pastoral style was characterized by humility, gentleness, and boundless charity. He exhorted his religious sisters to gentleness with these words: "Sii buona, sii molto buona, sii buonissima, sii eccessivamente buona, sii immensamente buona, sii eccessivamente dolce. Osserva questi propositi e ti farai padrona del cuore delle tue figlie e ti attirerai l'amore di tutti … renditi il sorriso sempre abituale sulle tue labbra." (Be good, be very good, be excellent, be excessively good, be immensely good, be excessively gentle. Observe these resolutions and you will make yourself mistress of the hearts of your daughters and you will attract the love of all… make a smile always habitual upon your lips.) Today, the congregation of the Dominican Sisters of Saint Mary of the Rosary continues his educational and charitable work. In addition to Italy, the religious sisters are present in India, Poland, Ecuador, Romania, Ukraine, and the Philippines.