Giovanni Antonio Farina
| Saint Giovanni Antonio Farina | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Vicenza | |
 | |
| Diocese | Vicenza |
| See | Vicenza |
| Appointed | 18 June 1860 |
| Installed | 1860 |
| Term ended | 4 March 1888 |
| Predecessor | Giovanni Giuseppe Cappellari |
| Successor | Antonio Maria De Pol |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 15 January 1827 |
| Consecration |
20 September 1850 by Giovanni Giuseppe Cappellari |
| Rank | Bishop |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
11 January 1803 Gambellara, Veneto, Venetian Province |
| Died |
4 March 1888 (aged 85) Vicenza, Veneto, Kingdom of Italy |
| Parents | Pedro Farina & Francisca Bellame |
| Previous post |
|
| Sainthood | |
| Feast day | 4 March |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified |
4 November 2001 Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II |
| Canonized |
23 November 2014 Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City by Pope Francis |
| Attributes | Bishop's attire |
| Patronage |
|
Saint Giovanni Antonio Farina (11 January 1803 – 4 March 1888) was an Italian Roman Catholic bishop known for his compassionate treatment of the poor and for his enlightened views of education.[1] He served as the Bishop of Vicenza and later as the Bishop of Treviso; he is also known for ordaining the future Pope Pius X to the priesthood.
He was beatified on 4 November 2001 by Pope John Paul II and was canonized on 23 November 2014 by Pope Francis following the recognition of miracles attributed to his intercession. His liturgical feast day is celebrated annually on 4 March, the date of his death.[2] He remains the patron saint of his religious order and of his hometown as well as the dioceses in which he served.
Biography
Early life and family
Farina was born in Gambellara in the Venetian Province to Pedro Farina (30 January 1768 - 22 September 1864) and Francesca Bellame.[3]
Farina had ten sibilings: Giacomo (b. 28 March 1792), Teresa (b. 17 March 1793), Gio Batta (b. 6 January 1795), Maddalena (b. 30 January 1796), Girolamo (b. 14 February 1801), Pietro (b. 2 March 1806), Lucia Fortunata-Farina (b. 18 August 1807), Giambattista (b. 18 October 1809), and Palma (b. 17 October 1811).
Following the death of his father in 1864, Farina was mentored by his maternal uncle Antonio who was a priest. At the age of 15, he entered the seminary in Vicenza.[1]
Ministry
At the age of 21, Farina began teaching at the seminary, where he continued to serve for 18 years. He was ordained to the priesthood on 15 January 1827. In 1831, he founded the first school for poor girls in Vicenza, and in 1836, the Institute of the Sisters Teachers of Saint Dorothy, Daughters of the Sacred Hearts (Italian: Suore Maestre di Santa Dorotea, figlie dei Sacri Cuori). The Sisters taught at the girls' school, and also cared for the sick and the elderly.
On 25 May 1850, Farina was appointed as the Bishop of Treviso. He was consecrated as a bishop on 19 January 1851, by Giovanni Giuseppe Cappellari, the Bishop of Vicenza, assisted by Bernardo Antonino Squarcina, O.P., the Bishop of Adria, and Federico Manfredini, the Titular Bishop of Famagusta.
On 18 September 1858, Farina ordained as a priest Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, the future Saint Pope Pius X.
On 18 June 1860, Farina was appointed as the Bishop of Vicenza, a position he held until his death in 1888. In 1869 and 1870 he attended the First Vatican Council.
He died on 4 March 1888 at the age of 85 from a stroke.
Beatification and canonization
The cause for Farina's beatification started on 1 June 1990, therefore, he was granted the title of Servant of God. On 24 April 2001, he was proclaimed Venerable due to the recognition of his "heroic virtues".
Farina was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 4 November 2001.[2] March 4 was designated as his memorial day.[4]
Pope Francis signed a decree on 3 April 2014 recognizing a miracle that had been attributed to Farina's intercession and paving the way for his canonization. He was canonized, alongside five others, on 23 November 2014 at the Vatican.
Lineage
His paternal grandparents were Girolamo (9 January 1738 - 18 December 1822) and Maddalena Disconzi (1734 - 31 October 1815). His paternal aunts were Pasqua (b. 2 March 1763), Angela (b. 28 August 1778), Antonia (b. 10 January 1766), and Anna (b. 23 February 1770).
His paternal great-grandparents were Francesco (1 May 1701 - 7 February 1779) and Antonia Capitanio. His paternal great-great-grandparents were Sebastiano Farina (b. 2 March 1673) and Pasqua. Farina's paternal great-great-great-grandfather was Sebastiano (b. 1580).
External links
References
- 1 2 "Giovanni Antonio Farina". The Holy See. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- 1 2 "Homily of John Paul II". The Holy See. November 4, 2001. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ Terry H Jones. "Blessed Giovanni Antonio Farina". SQPN. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ Terry H Jones. "Calendar of Saints". SQPN. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
|