Feast of San Lodovico Pavoni

San Lodovico Pavoni, ora pro nobis

April 1st is the feast of St. Lodovico Pavoni, diocesan priest and founder of the Sons of Mary Immaculate (“Pavoniani”). Born on November 11, 1784, into a noble family in Brescia, Lombardy, St. Lodovico was sensitive to the condition and needs of the poor. Committed to becoming a priest, he devoted himself to his studies and was ordained on February 21, 1807.

Working with poor and sick youths, he opened an oratory to help catechize and teach them a trade. It was expanded into a hostel in 1821, and in 1825 he founded a religious congregation of priests and brothers to help train the boys in various livelihoods, including carpentry, smithery, shoemaking and, after purchasing a farm, agriculture, among others.

On March 24, 1849, during the violent uprising against the Austrian Empire, St. Lodovico led his young charges out of the city, away from danger, to the novitiate on the hill of Saiano. As the fighting raged on, he would die a week later of natural causes on Palm Sunday, April 1, 1849. He is the patron saint of vocational and trade schools.

In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to St. Lodovico. The accompanying photo comes courtesy of Father Eugene Carrella. The holy card is part of Father Carrella’s impressive collection of religious artifacts. Evviva San Lodovico Pavoni!

Prayer to St. Lodovico

We implore you, Father, source of life and joy; through the intercession of Saint Lodovico Pavoni, with confidence we ask for the grace of...(mention the grace you are praying for) May your all-powerful love grant our prayer and make us more like your faithful servant, who gave joy and hope to the young and the poor. May our dearest Mother Mary present You our petitions; she obtained the first miracle in Cana through Jesus, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.