Saint Anthony Maria Gianelli, Founder of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden
For the Salvation of Souls
The glory of God and the health of souls. This is the second name on which Saint Anthony Maria Gianelli founded his life, distinguishing himself for his charity towards poor girls, offering them a dignified future.
Born on April 12, 1789, in Cerreta di Carro, a small town in the province of La Spezia, to a very poor peasant family, thanks to his parents as a boy he learned the fundamental values of the Christian faith: praying, trusting in God, making sacrifices, helping others and sharing what one had.
Raised in a simple environment, close to nature and happy with the essential things of daily life, he developed his character and spirituality. In this context, his vocation to help others was born. He began studying with the parish priest of the village and, at eighteen, moved to Genoa to enter the Seminary.
In May 1812 he was ordained a priest. During his ministry he held various positions: assistant priest in the church of San Matteo in Genoa, a teacher in the Seminary and a collaborator of the urban missionaries. In 1826 he became archpriest of the church of San Giovanni Battista in Chiavari, near the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell’Orto [Our Lady of the Garden].
Attentive to the people’s needs, he was inspired by the example of Jesus the Good Shepherd. He was particularly committed to helping poor girls so with the aim of offering them a better future, he founded the Institute of the Daughters of Mary on January 12, 1829.
On May 6, 1838 Gianelli was appointed Bishop of Bobbio. In his first speech to the diocese he said: “I cannot be good if I am not ready to die for you, for each of you”, demonstrating the great love he had for his people.
His life was full of commitments, sacrifices and many nights without sleep, which ended up seriously damaging his health. Having fallen ill with tuberculosis, he accepted the disease with faith and serenity, saying: “It does not matter that I live… what matters is that I fulfill his will well…” He died on June 7, 1846 in Piacenza.
On April 19, 1925 Gianelli was proclaimed Blessed by Pope Pius XI and later canonized by Pope Pius XII, on October 21, 1951.