Today April 12

Today is the feast of Blessed Angelo of Chivasso (1411-1495). Chivasso is a few miles from Turin in the Piedmont region of Italy (the far Northwest of Italy, near France and Switzerland). Angelo was a noble, had a degree in law, and became a senator. He served ably for years until his mother died, when he left the world for a Franciscan friary in Genoa. He was invited to be a priest and then embarked on a mission back to his native Piedmont. Up and down the mountain trails, to the poorest huts in the most remote villages he went, preaching and administering the sacraments. He was pressured to become bishop, but he refused. He was a happy man. Even when faced with danger in the form of Waldensians (who were NOT sympathetic to Catholics) in a more and more politically polarized situation, he did not show fear, he did not give up. Many heretics and former Catholics came (back) to the faith due to his preaching and example. He died, after resigning as vicar general, peacefully at the convent in Cuneo. He was beatified in 1753.