Giovanni Battista Rossi was born in Italy in 1698, and his parents were both known for the richness of their faith. In his youth, Giovanni’s faith life blossomed under the tutelage of two priests, then when he was 10 his parents allowed him to work for a wealthy family who provided for his religious education. He studied under the Jesuits, then the Dominicans, and joined two lay apostolates that served the poor. Giovanni began having epileptic seizures, but he was able to receive a special dispensation and eventually was ordained a priest. Known as “the apostle of the abandoned”, he devoted himself to serving the homeless, sick, and wayward, and preached five or six times a day.
CHALLENGE
In addition to being a popular preacher, St. Giovanni Battista Rossi was one of the most sought-after confessors in Rome. He once said that the shortest road to heaven was to guide others there by the confessional. Sins are rocks and boulders that dam the river of graces God wants to give us. Today, help guide someone else to go to confession. And while you’re at it, you go too.
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The end of life is a difficult time, and the Catholic Church has a rich history of teachings and traditions to help people have a holy death, as well as grieve and pray for those who have departed from this world. Passing Time is a rich resource on the topics of suffering, death, and Purgatory, compiled from a variety of classical Catholic texts. Buy your copy today.
