Venanzio Maria Quadri

From 1929 to 1931, Antonio continued his studies under the guidance of Father Bernardino M. Piccinelli (now recognized as a Servant of God), who also became his confessor and spiritual director. Under his guidance, he developed a deep Marian devotion and boundless admiration for Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. On September 7, 1931, he was sent to the convent of the Madonna della Ghiara in Reggio Emilia to complete his secondary studies and begin his novitiate. He received the religious habit there on August 28, 1932, under the name Brother Venanzio Maria. On August 29, 1933, he pronounced his simple vows. That same day, with the permission of his novice master, he secretly offered himself as a "victim of love" following the example of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. After studying philosophy in Bologna from 1933 to 1935, he was sent to Rome to the International College of Sant'Alessio Falconieri on the Janiculum to pursue his theology curriculum in preparation for the priesthood.

During his years of study in Rome, Brother Venanzio Maria distinguished himself by remarkable obedience, profound humility, and great assiduity in prayer. He spent long hours in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament and diligently performed the duties of sacristan and organist. On October 30, 1937, as he began his third year of theology, he was suddenly struck by a serious nervous illness (acute polyneuritis affecting the spinal cord and the heart). His condition deteriorated rapidly. On his deathbed, on November 2, 1937, the formula of his solemn profession was read to him. He responded with a nod and a faint "yes" (sì), which would be his last word. He passed away peacefully at 11:30 a.m. that same day, at the age of 20.

The cause for the beatification of Venanzio Maria Quadri was opened at the diocesan level in Bologna on November 16, 1957. The decree on his writings was published on January 8, 1970. On December 14, 2015, Pope Francis authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues, thus conferring upon him the title of Venerable. His mortal remains rest in the Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi in Bologna.

The spirituality of Brother Venanzio Maria is deeply marked by the "little way" of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, characterized by the extraordinary accomplishment of the ordinary actions of daily life. His love for Christ and the Virgin Mary led him to offer himself entirely as a victim of divine love. He left a written testimony of his fraternal charity: "I love my neighbor because I love God... it follows, therefore, that I must flee sympathies and antipathies; I must love everyone with the same love, having only God in view." His spiritual legacy is perpetuated in particular through the ecclesial movement "Orizzonti di speranza" (Horizons of Hope), which draws inspiration from his figure.