PERSONAGGI CELEBRI


Saint Joseph Pignatelli of Fuentes (1737 – 1811 )


Saint Joseph Pignatelli of Fuentes (1737 – 1811 )

Born in Saragossa ( Aragona ) in 1737 , son of Antonio ( 1700-1746) author of the Pignatelli Counts of Fuentes Line , and Maria Francesca de Moncayo Blanes y Centelles Countess of Fuentes ; his brother was Gioacchino I Count of Fuentes (1724-1765).


Led and inspired the Jesuits during the 41 years of the Suppression of the Society. Considered the link between the old Jesuits, suppressed in 1773, and the new Jesuits, restored in 1814.

An orphan at age 9, he became a resident student at the Jesuit college in Saragossa. Entered the Jesuits in 1753 at age 16, along with his brother. Developed tuberculosis, which weakened and haunted him the rest of his life. Ordained in 1762 at age 25.

Expelled with other Jesuits on 3 April 1767 by order of King Charles III. Joseph had a chance to stay due to his noble background, but he left with his exiled brothers. On the road they found that the Jesuits were being expelled from all countries except Prussia and Russia. Joseph stubbornly kept together a remnant of the order, and these would the restoration of the Jesuits three years after Joseph's death.

Groups of Jesuits reformed into societies such as The Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in France and The Society of the Faith of Jesus in Italy. The Jesuits survived in Russia, and though he lived in Italy, Joseph associated himself with them. In 1775, Pope Pius VI gave permission for Jesuits from other countries to rejoin the Jesuits in Russia, and in 1799 approved the opening of a novitiate in Colorno, Italy, making Joseph the Master of Novices. In 1801 King Charles Emmanuel IV of Sardinia reinstated the Jesuits in his kingdom, and in 1815 he joined them himself.

In 1800 Pope Pius VII determined to completely restore the Society, but was unable until the fall of Napoleon. Despite their being virtually nothing left of the Society's resources, requests for the restored Jesuits to start schools poured in from every direction. Within a year the Society had as many members and as many foundations as the old Society had had in 1555.

He died on the 11th of November 1811 after a long life fight with tubercolosis.

In 1954 Pope Pius XII , canonized the Blessed Joseph , his memorial is on the 14th of November.





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