Blessed Nicola da Gesturi

Nicola da Gesturi (4 August 1882 – 8 June 1958), born Giovanni Angelo Salvatore Medda, was an Italian Roman Catholic and a professed member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. Throughout his life he encouraged and led charitable works in Sardinia. Pope John Paul II recognized a miracle attributed to him and beatified him on 3 October 1999. A second miracle needed for his canonization is now under investigation. Giovanni Angelo Salvatore Medda was born on 4 August 1882 in Gesturi as the sixth of seven children to Giovanni Medda and Priama Cogoni Zedda. His siblings were Rita, Maria Antonia, Peppino, Giovanni and Salvatore. He received the sacrament of Confirmation in 1886. He was five when his father died on 10 June 1887 and thirteen when his mother died on 6 June 1895. As a result of this Medda was put in the care of his father's sister, Rita, who regarded and used him as her servant. He spent his time between work in the fields and the cattle guard. His aunt - and "master" - died sometime after this. He received his First Communion on 18 December 1896. Medda practiced self-mortification as a stimulus to respond to his vocation in becoming a professed religious. In March 1911 he entered a Capuchin institution in Cagliari and made his novitiate and first solemn profession. He soon took the habit and assumed the name of "Nicola". He fluctuated between monasteries in Sanluri to Sassari as well as in Oristano. He was in charge of the kitchens. He was removed from this position in 1924. He was assigned to the 'quest'. The 'quest' was a practice among the Franciscans whereby the friars would beg for support among the local people. It often became a means to meet and speak with people about the Catholic Faith. Nicola devoted himself to charitable acts in the name of Francis of Assisi. Despite this he still received insults from those who saw him as a mere beggar. He became popular as time went on and people approached him for advice and to talk with him.