The Saint of the day 5 November is San Guido Maria Conforti, which name day is celebrated and other saints who are celebrated on this date.
San Guido Maria Conforti
Born in Casalora di Ravadese on May 30, 1865, Guido Maria Conforti was the eighth of the ten children of the farmer Rinaldo and Mrs. Antonia Adorni.
Being from a wealthy family, he was able to complete his studies in Parma, initially attending a Catholic primary school, then continuing his education at the Diocesan Seminary run by Don Andrea Carlo Ferrari.
During the years spent in the seminary, Guido Maria Conforti began to read a biography of Saint Francis Xavier, the Jesuit missionary announcer of the message of Christ throughout Asia up to Sancian, at the gates of China, where he died in 1552.
Guido Maria, fascinated by the figure of Francesco Saverio, sensed in himself the vocation to continue his work which was still unfinished and began to desire to become a missionary.
Despite being weak in fragile health, Guido Maria Conforti was ordained a priest in the sanctuary of Fontanellato, in the province of Parma, on September 22, 1888.
On 3 December 1895 he founded the Emilian Institute for foreign missions, dedicated to the formation of the missionary clergy and officially approved by the bishop on 3 December 1898 with the name of the Congregation of San Francesco Saverio for foreign missions.
In particular, the evangelization of China was entrusted to this new congregation.
On June 9, 1902 Pope Leo XIII appointed him archbishop of Ravenna and Conforti received the episcopal order on the following July 12.
Unfortunately, his precarious health worsened day by day and, after only two years, he had to give up his position as archbishop of Ravenna.
He returned to Parma at his missionary institute, where he was able to follow the formation of young aspiring missionaries.
Recommended readings- November 14: saint of the day, name day
- November 16: saint of the day, name day
- November 5: saint of the day, name day
- November 1: saint of the day, name day
- November 25: saint of the day, name day
Shortly afterwards, Saint Pius X appointed him assistant to the bishop of Parma, a diocese that he was called to lead in 1907 for almost 25 years, succeeding his predecessor in the episcopal office.
Since his main pastoral commitment was to announce the word of God among the population, he made the pastoral visit five times, opened two diocesan synods and instituted Catholic Action.
The culture and sanctity of the clergy, the formation of the laity, religious associations, the Catholic press, the missions to the people, the Eucharistic, Marian and missionary Congresses were particularly taken to heart.
On April 12, 1912 he ordained Bishop Luigi Calza, the first Xaverian called to the episcopal ministry in China, at the diocese of Cheng-Chow.
In 1928 Guido Maria Conforti went to visit the Xaverian missions that were located in the Chinese region of western Honan.
Back in Parma he resumed his pastoral activity but, having meanwhile worsened his health, on November 5, 1931 he died, after receiving the Anointing of the Sick.
St. John Paul II beatified him on 17 March 1996, while on 23 October 2011 he was declared a saint by Pope Benedict XVI.
Guido Maria Conforti was also an appreciated composer of sacred music, the songs of which "I believe I will rise", "Aim your people or beautiful lady" and other hymns dedicated to the Madonna, suitable for organ and choir, are famous.
Other saints and celebrations of 5 November
- Blessed Bernardo Lichtenberg
- Santa Bertilla
- Santa Comasia
- San Domenico Mau
- San Donnino
- San Fibizio (Fibicio) of Trier
- San Geraldo of Beziers
- Blessed Giovanni Antonio Burro Mas
- Blessed Gomidas Kaumurdjian (Keumurgian)
- Blessed Gregory (Hryhorij) Lakota
- San Guetnoco
- Blessed Maria Carmela Viel Ferrando
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