St. Gaspar Bertoni was born in Verona, a city at North of Italy, in October 9th, 1777. On that time the city was a scenery of war between the troops French and Austrian, who had taken place on the city and were disputing its possession.

In reason of that, the city lived the problems of hunger and of disorder and libertinism, the injured people overcrowded the hospitals, the poor children don't have schools, the youth was lost and forgotten, and up to the clergy had suffered the influences of that unhealthy environment.

In this context, the young Gaspar grew, facing still some family dramas, as death of his only sister, younger, the incapacity of his father in order to administrate the family wellness, and finally the parents separation, commonly agree.

Following his pastor suggestion, of Saint Paul Church, he joined Seminary, and on September 20th, 1800, when he was almost twenty three years old, he received the Sacerdotal ordination, at sounds of canon shots.

Still as a seminar, he already dedicate to the sick people, and early he began the work with the youth, rescuing from the city's hostile environment. He founded Marian Oratories, where he used to gather the youth to praise the Virgin Mary, to receive lessons of Catechism and also for recreation. This work was so fruitful that he started to be recognized as "Apostle of the Youth".

Called by his bishop to rescue the clergy dignity, there he also realized an excellent work, so that the Seminary became knows as example of order and discipline, and the priests and seminars as models of dedication and work.

Father Gaspar also reveled notable counselor. People from the most distant regions, governments and up to his own bishop searched for his advice.

Called to work at the popular missions at Saint Fermo Church, he also was excellent preacher, so that he received from Vatican the title of  "Apostolic Missionary".

But there was still a big work to that God would call him to realize, and that, little by little, was lining to him: the foundation of a religious congregation.

On that time, the religious congregations were persecuted and up to suppressed. Meetings and any groupings are prohibited, since were understood as possible evidence of rebellion and opposition to the "owners" of the city, that were alternated among French and Austrians.

But Father Gaspar, inspirited by an vision in front St. Ignatius Loyola's altar, founder of the Jesuits (Society of Jesus), congregation which suppression were still in effect on that time, started to perceive, little by little, the will of God to the realization of this courageous project.

Then at November, 4th, 1816, he came in, with some companions, at a building that was initially destined to be a school for poor children. This building was attached to the Church of the Stigmata, which name was because it was dedicated to the sores or stigmata of St. Francisco of Assisi.

Beyond the school, on that poor and penitent environment, it was born, also, an religious congregation, that after St. Gaspar death received the name of "Congregation of the Sacred Stigmata of our Lord Jesus Christ", commonly known by "Congregation of the Stigmatines".

Inspired by the title that he had received from Vatican and on the recognition that he had to the authority of the bishops, who are the successor of the apostles, who Jesus gave the mission: "Go and Teach" (Mt 28,19), he thus defined the finality of his congregation: "Apostolic Missionaries for the Assistance of Bishops".

Father Gaspar dedicated all his life to do the will of God. Supported by prayers, he ever got to perceive and to realize according to the will of God.

Since he was thirty five years old, he faced serious healthy problems, that took him almost to death, and later kept him hold on bed during a long part of his life, supporting terrible pains and sufferings, therefore even a complaint had come out from his lips.

He did from his illness instruments of redemption and praise to God. He named it of "School of God". It was occasions that the mercy of God gave to us to forgive many failures that we commit and don't did penitence. We ought to live them on the perspective of faith, like a religious light, as God wants our salvation also through the illness, and, therefore, the suffering.

From his bed of pain, he continued his activities like master, preacher of spiritual exercises and, over all, like a counselor of who searched for him. Everybody who had consulted him (bishops, magistrates, priests and faithful) admire him because his wisdom, and by common agreement they considered him like "Angel of Counsel".

Many ills who he blessed were cured, and after is death still other miracles already were happened through his intersection or contact with his relics.

Father Gaspar died saintly in June 12th, 1853, when he was almost seventy six years old, and was canonized by Pope John Paul, the Second, in November 1st, 1989, day of the liturgical party of All Saints. The miracles to his beatification and canonization process were happened in Brazil, at the cities of Rio Claro, in São Paulo state, and in Rio de Janeiro.

His liturgical feast is at June 12th.
 
 

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The house where St. Gaspar was born