Born in Casoria (near Naples), Arcangelo Palmentieri was a
cabinet-maker before entering the Friars Minor in 1832, taking the name
Ludovico. After his ordination five years later, he taught chemistry,
physics and mathematics to younger members of his province for several
years.
In
1847 he had a mystical experience which he later described as a
cleansing. After that he dedicated his life to the poor and the infirm,
establishing a dispensary for the poor, two schools for African
children, an institute for the children of nobility, as well as an
institution for orphans, the deaf and the speechless, and other
institutes for the blind, elderly and for travelers. In addition to an
infirmary for friars of his province, he began charitable institutes in
Naples, Florence and Assisi. He once said, "Christ’s love has wounded
my heart." This love prompted him to great acts of charity.
To
help continue these works of mercy, in 1859 he established the Gray
Brothers, a religious community composed of men who formerly belonged
to the Secular Franciscan Order. Three years later he founded the Gray
Sisters of St. Elizabeth for the same purpose.
Toward the
beginning of his final, nine-year illness, Ludovico wrote a spiritual
testament which described faith as "light in the darkness, help in
sickness, blessing in tribulations, paradise in the crucifixion and
life amid death." The local work for his beatification began within
five months of Ludovico’s death. He was beatified in 1993.
Comment:
Saintly
people are not protected from suffering, but with God’s help they learn
how to develop compassion from it. In the face of great suffering, we
move either toward compassion or indifference. Saintly men and women
show us the path toward compassion.
Quote:Ludovico’s
spiritual testament begins: "The Lord called me to himself with a most
tender love, and with an infinite charity he led and directed me along
the path of my life."