I think the Lord is trying to tell me something....do not be afraid! How many times do we hear that? I was at a talk once and it was titled that. The speaker said that saying, Do Not Be Afraid, in one form or another is in the Bible 365 times...one for every day of the year! The reason that I write this for this particular saint is because of where he died.
Blessed Luigi (Louis) Tezza was the only son of his parents born November 1, 1841 in Italy. His father was a doctor and died when Louis was only 9. He entered the Ministers of the Sick of Saint Camilus de Lellis at age 17 and then his mother became a nun. Louis was ordained in 1864. His work was around the world and in different capacities. He worked with the new religious, novice master, went to France as novice master and worked with the sick. He was expelled from France but then secretly returned to unite the scattered religious around France. He then became procurator and vicar general of the Camillians in 1891. In that year, while on retreat he met Blessed Josephine Vannini and they both wanted to found a women's congregation in the same spirit of Saint Camillus de Lellis. The Congregation of the Daughters of Saint Camillus was founded on February 2, 1892 which continues to grow. In 1900, at age 59 he went as s visitor to Peru to reform the Camillian community and he remained there for 23 years, working for the care of the sick poor in hospitals, homes, and prisons. He was the spiritual director and confession to the seminary and other congregations. He was also a counsellor to the nuncio and archbishop. He died in Lima, Peru on September 23, 1923. He was beatified on November 4, 2001 by Pope John Paul II and is awaiting canonization.
Blessed Louis leaves us with a challenge: “God’s invitation to become saints is for all, not just a few. Sanctity therefore must be accessible to all. In what does it consist? In a lot of activity? No. In doing extraordinary things? No, this could not be for everybody and at all times. Therefore, sanctity consists in doing good, and in doing this “good” in whatever condition and place God has placed us. Nothing more, nothing outside of this."
The inscription from a holy card distributed in Lime in memory of Father Louis:
"He was sought after as a father and venerated as a saint: he is no longer with us but he continues to teach us from the tomb; his presence and comportment was angelic; his word was that that of a minister of the gospel; his heart a repository of noble affection; his mission was always salvific. He passed among us as a heavenly vision, ever good and humble, always charitable. Faith was the basis of all his work while goodness enveloped him like a mantle and tiara."
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