Filippo Smaldone

Filippo Smaldone ( born July 27, 1848 in Naples, Italy, † June 4, 1923 in Lecce, Italy), Catholic priest, founder of the " Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Heart ". Smaldone dedicated to deaf children. He is next to St. Francis de Sales, the second patron saint for the deaf.

On 15 October 2006, he was called by Pope Benedict XVI. canonized.

Life

Filippo Smaldone was born in 1848 in Naples, Italy. Very early on he decided to become a priest, so that he entered the Seminary of Naples. During the time of his studies, he came into contact with the large number of deaf people who were there at that time in Naples and for no one cared particularly. The help for the deaf, which he began as a student will influence his whole life.

On September 23, 1871 he was ordained a priest. In the first priest years he held in addition to his efforts to deaf people of the city also catechism classes and visited the sick. This he did, as in a smallpox epidemic broke out in Naples. He was infected by his visits to the sick and would even almost died. When he wanted to volunteer for the mission, his confessor convinced that his real mission was not in distant lands, but at the Deaf of Naples him. Thereafter he devoted himself entirely to one work and dedication for even more priests and laity. Above all, he developed his own sign language in order to communicate better with the deaf can.

Founding of the Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Heart

In March 1885 Smaldone moved to Lecce. There he founded March 25, 1885 together with the priest Lorenzo Apicelia and a group of women its first device for the deaf. For this device, the Congregation of the " Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Heart " was born. Smaldone chose the name " Salesian Sisters " because he wanted his congregation that should take care especially for the deaf under the special protection of St. Francis de Sales, the patron saint of the deaf, ask. The Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Heart preconceived very fast feet and bloomed. Only a few years later Smaldone was able to found another house in Bari. To date, the main task of the religious community in the education of deaf children, but they are also dedicated to other disabled children, orphans and children who have been abandoned by their parents. The spiritual basis of the religious community forms the Salesian spirituality, so that they are counted for the Salesian Family.

The final years

Besides his work for the deaf was Filippo Smaldone also confessor and priest companion for priests, seminarians and various religious communities, including the Missionaries of St.. Francis de Sales. He also founded yet another religious community, called the " Eucharistic League of worship and adoration of women priests ." He has also been appointed canon of the Cathedral of Lecce and was commissioned by the city of Lecce, a record for his services to the deaf. He died on June 4, 1923 in Lecce at the age of 75 years due to severe diabetes and heart failure.

Causes of Saints

Smaldone was beatified in 1996 by Pope John Paul II. On 15 October 2006, he was called by Pope Benedict XVI. canonized.

The Memorial of Blessed Filippo Smaldone 's the 4th of June. He is next to the St.. Francis de Sales, the second patron of the deaf.