Don Bosco’s Contemporary and fellow citizen

Saints

Saint Giovanni Benedetto Cottolengo (1776-1842)

Saint Giovanni Benedetto Cottolengo served as the vicar of the Turin church of Corpus Domini for nine years. But his real vocation was revealed by a dramatic episode that occurred during this time. A poor sick and pregnant woman had reached Turin on her way to Lyons. The tuberculosis hospital refused to take her in because she was pregnant, and the maternity home wouldn't either because she was sick. Before the statue of the Holy Mother of Grace, placed on the right side of the Church of Corpus Domini, Cottolengo received the inspiration to create a home open to everyone unconditionally, whatever disease or disability they might suffer from, without distinction of race or creed. He opened his first infirmary on the 17^th January 1828, with four beds in a few rooms of the house called the red vault house, practically in front of his parish church. The number of patients soon increased, and in 1832 he had to move to the Valdocco district where he established what was called the Piccola Casa della Divina Provvidenza (the Little House of Divine Providence).
The funding for what became huge enterprise, was sourced through Cottolengo’s limitless trust in Divine Providence, matched with constant prayers and sacrifices. He never ever refused to help any miserable human being, even in the face of much hostility and misunderstanding. Today, the Piccola Casa, which the Turinese fondly call ‘Il Cottolengo’, is an imposing complex of buildings where all is work, prayer and charity. Thousands of patients are cared for by nuns and volunteer workers. The most modern and up to date kitchen, mess and health care systems are applied in this citadel of charity.
Many Turin doctors continue to lend their work free of charge with the latest health care means, and all staff admirably devote their help to the needy for the love of God and their neighbour. The growth of the Piccola Casa has been prodigious, and over 100 similar homes operate in Italy and abroad today.

Saint Giuseppe Cafasso (1811-1860)

He was the apostle of prisons and the comforter of those condemned to the death penalty. He was referred to as the gallows priest as a result. He is the patron Saint of prison chaplains. A monument has been erected to his memory at the Gallows Roundabout. He was also the professor, confessor, and guide of many young priests, including Don Bosco.

Giulia Colbert - Marquise of Barolo (1785-1864)

She was a descendant of French Minister Colbert, and married one of the richest men of Piedmont, Tancredi Falletti di Barolo. After settling at Turin in 1814, she spent her immense fortune and property, time and resources in works of charity, with tremendous social impact. She was a pioneer in prison reform especially. This transparent and exceptional socialite lady, founded schools and supported several aid organizations. Together with her husband, who was also a man of exceptional culture, faith and social sensitivity, she initiated Turin's first ever children's nursery. She was awarded a gold medal by the King for her self-sacrificing service displayed during the 1835 cholera epidemic of Turin. She hoped to have Don Bosco as chaplain for her works, but he was too concerned with his own projects to be able to assist.

Saint Leonardo Murialdo (1828-1900)

He worked with Don Bosco and dealt especially with youth during the last decades of the 19th Century. In 1866 he accepted the post of director of the Institute for Artisans and in 1873, he founded the Congregation of Saint Joseph. He was a herald of the Church's growing social doctrine.

Blessed Giuseppe Allamano (1851-1926)

A priest and a man of great piety and austere way of life. Joseph Allamano finished school at the Salesian Oratory in Valdocco, where his regular confessor was Don Bosco himself. After completing four years at the “Oratorio”, he felt called to the diocesan priesthood, and left Valdocco for the diocesan seminary in Turin. He became the spiritual director of the Turin seminary and rector of the Sanctuary of La Consolata. In 1901 he founded the Congregation of the Consolata Missionaries (now over 2000 strong) engaged in many Third World countries, especially in Africa.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925)

A child from an upper-middle class family of Turin, he decided to work for the poor, from evangelical rather that the growing socialistic-ideological motives that many were espousing at the time. This crystal-clear faith youngster worked with the Catholic Action movement. He lived his life with real joy, worked for the common good, and committed himself tirelessly for the poor, whom he served as a member of the Saint Vincent de Paul society. He died of a sudden attack of pneumonia, probably caught when visiting the sick on the eve of his obtaining a degree in engineering. He is the perfect role model for the “good christian and upright citizen”.