Jul 15, 2025

β›ͺ Saint Pompilio Maria Pirrotti

🌟 Saint Pompilio Maria Pirrotti 🌟

Zealous Priest and Promoter of the Sacred Heart


πŸ“… Born: 29 September 1710, Montecalvo, Kingdom of Naples

⚰️ Died: 15 July 1766 (aged 55), Campi Salentina, Kingdom of Naples

πŸ™ Venerated in: Roman Catholic Church

✝️ Beatified: 26 January 1890 by Pope Leo XIII at Saint Peter’s Basilica

πŸ‘‘ Canonized: 19 March 1934 by Pope Pius XI at Saint Peter’s Basilica

πŸ“… Feast Day: 15 July


πŸ‘• Attributes: Priest’s cassock, crucifix

🌎 Patronage: Montecalvo Irpino, Campi Salentina


β€œHe lived to make Jesus known and loved.”


Early Life

Pompilio Maria Pirrotti, originally named Domenico Michele Giovan Battista Pirrotti, was born on 29 September 1710 in Montecalvo, Italy, in the Kingdom of Naples. He was the sixth of eleven children of Girolamo Pirrotti, a Doctor of Law, and Orsola Bozzuti. Baptized the day after his birth, Domenico showed early signs of a religious vocation. At sixteen, despite parental opposition, he left home for Benevento to pursue a religious life. His father, in a heartfelt letter, eventually supported his decision, granting his blessing.

Religious Life

At eighteen, Domenico joined the Piarist order, taking the name Pompilio Maria in honor of his deceased brother and adding "of Saint Nicholas" upon his solemn profession. He entered the novitiate at Santa Maria di Caravaggio in Naples on 2 February 1727, receiving a special dispensation to skip the second year of novitiate. He made his solemn profession on 25 March 1728 in Brindisi. During his formation, he studied philosophy in Chieti but fell ill, prompting a move to Melfi in Potenza for health reasons. He later continued his studies in Turi, Bari, in 1733, where he taught literature. Pirrotti was ordained a priest on 20 March 1734 by the Archbishop of Brindisi, Andrea Maddalena. He served in various roles, including superior and Master of Novices at a Piarist house in Lecce, and worked in Brindisi (1736–1739) and Ortona (1739–1742).

Ministry and Devotion

Pompilio was renowned for his dedication to education and preaching, particularly among the youth of central Italy, earning him the title β€œApostle of the Abruzzi.” During the 1765 famine near his hometown, he distributed bread to the poor. His deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom he called "Mamma Bella," and to the Sacred Heart of Jesus defined his spirituality. He promoted the Via Crucis and founded the "Charity of God" confraternity to foster Christian virtues and support the dying.

Persecution and Exile

From 1747, Pompilio faced criticism from detractors who accused him of being overly lenient with sinners in the confessional. This led to his suspension from hearing confessions by Cardinal Archbishop Antonio Sersale of Naples. King Charles III issued a decree expelling him from the Kingdom of Naples, but public pressure forced its revocation, allowing his return.

Death and Legacy

On 15 April 1765, Pompilio began a journey to Ancona, arriving in Lecce on 12 July 1766. After celebrating Mass on 13 July, he fell gravely ill and died on 15 July 1766. He was buried in Apulia, and in 1966, his remains were transferred to the Santuario San Pompilio Maria Pirrotti in Campi Salentina. A Catholic church in Montecalvo Irpino, within the Archdiocese of Benevento, is dedicated to him. On 2 July 2006, a park in Campi Salentina was named in his honor, and in 2010, a β€œPompiliano Year” marked the 300th anniversary of his birth.

Sainthood

The cause for Pompilio’s sainthood began in Lecce in 1835, earning him the title Servant of God. He was declared Venerable by Pope Leo XIII on 17 November 1878 for his heroic virtue. Leo XIII beatified him on 26 January 1890 after confirming two miracles attributed to his intercession. The cause resumed on 4 December 1892, and Pope Pius XI canonized him on 19 March 1934, recognizing two additional miracles.

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