Blessed Pius of Saint Aloysius

Pius of Saint Aloysius (born Luigi Campidelli, 29 April 1868 – 2 November 1889) was an Italian Roman Catholic professed cleric from the Passionists. He died before he could receive his ordination to the priesthood but in his short life managed to captivate people around him for his strong dedication to his order's charism and his deep faith. His beatification was celebrated on 17 November 1985. Luigi Campidelli was born to an impoverished farmers on 29 April 1868 as the fourth of six children to Giuseppe Campidelli and Filomena Belpani; a sister was Teresa. He was baptized as "Luigi Nazreno Francesco". His parents nicknamed him "Gigino". His father caught typhoid in 1874 and soon died which left his widow and children destitute while an uncle came to their aid to help manage their farm. He received his Confirmation on 9 February 1873 from the Bishop of Rimini Luigi Poggi and in 1875 enrolled in the private school at Trebbio di Poggio Berni before making his First Communion in 1878. In his schooling he was admired as a good student and devout child and in his teens became more active in the life of his local parish. He was known throughout the neighborhood as a good child who was pious and sincere with an unwavering allegiance to Pope Pius IX who he felt was going through terrible trials due to the loss of the Papal States in 1870. He also taught other children catechism. He encountered the Passionists in 1880 and knew at once that he wanted to join them. From this time on he was a frequent visitor to the Sanctuary of Madonna di Casale in San Vito and was soon invited to enter their novitiate on 2 May 1882. On 27 May 1883 he was clothed in the Passionist habit and he also received the religious name of "Pius of Saint Aloysius" while beginning the novitiate period.