Saint Vincent Pallotti

Vincent Pallotti, SAC (21 April 1795 – 22 January 1850) was an Italian Catholic cleric and the founder of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, later known as the Pious Society of Missions (the Pallottines). The original name was restored in 1947. He is buried in the Church of San Salvatore in Onda. He is considered the forerunner of Catholic Action. His feast day is 22 January. Vincent Pallotti was born in Rome on 21 April 1795, to Pietro and Magdalena De Rossi Pallotti. He was descended from the noble families of the Pallotti of Norcia and the De Rossi of Rome. He was the uncle of Cardinal Luigi Pallotti (1829–1890). His early studies were made at the Pious Schools of San Pantaleone, and from there he passed to the Roman College. At the age of sixteen, he resolved to become a priest, and was ordained on 16 May 1818. Shortly thereafter he earned a doctorate in theology. Pallotti is described as small of stature, slight of build, with big blue eyes and penetrating glance. He was given an assistant professorship at the Sapienza University but resigned it soon after to devote himself to pastoral work. Pallotti worked selflessly looking after the poor in the urban areas of the city for most of his life. He organized schools for shoemakers, tailors, coachmen, carpenters, and gardeners so that they could better work at their trade, as well as evening classes for young farmers and unskilled workers. He soon became known as a "second Saint Philip Neri". He once dressed up as an old woman to hear the confession of a man who threatened "to kill the first priest who came through the door". On 9 January 1835, Pallotti found the Union of the Catholic Apostolate.