Bl. Antonio Rosmini

Antonio Rosmini was born in 1797 at Rovereto, in what was then the Austrian Tyrol, and studied at the University of Padua. He was ordained a priest in 1821. Pius VII encouraged him to work at renewing philosophy, and he spent years studying St Thomas Aquinas.

He set himself two rules. He would not seek out works of charity on his own initiative but would concentrate on growing holy. When God clearly called him to some work, he would take it up readily, whatever his own preferences. On these rules he founded the Institute of Charity in 1828 at Monte Calvario near Domodossola. Its members are known as Rosminians. The Pope gave the Institute missions in England, and its rules were approved in 1838–39. He wrote widely on philosophy and the spiritual life, including Maxims of Christian Perfection. He died at Stresa, on Lake Maggiore, in 1855.

The Church has declared Antonio Rosmini Blessed.

Beatification allows public veneration, usually in a particular region or religious family. Canonization extends it to the whole Church.