St Richard (Riccardo) Pampuri was called Erminio Filippo Pampuri at birth. He was an Italian medical doctor born on August 2 1897 in Trivolzio, Pavia, Italy and died on May 1 1930 in Milan, Italy at the age of 33 years. We celebrate his feast day on May 1 every year in the Catholic Church.
St Richard Pampuri is the Patron Saint of
- Trivolzio
- Military chaplains
- Nurses
- Doctors
| St Richard (Riccardo) Pampuri Biography | |
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| Date of Birth | August 2 1897 |
| Place of Birth | Trivolzio, Pavia, Italy |
| Profession | Medical Doctor |
| Place of Work | Italy |
| Date of Death | May 1 1930 |
| Place of Death | Milan, Italy |
| Feast Day | May 1 |
| Beatification | By Pope John Paul II on October 4 1981 at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City |
| Canonization | By Pope John Paul II on November 1 1989 at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City |
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St Richard Pampuri Life History
The parents of St Richard Pampuri were Innocenzo Pampuri and Angela Campari. He was the tenth born out of eleven children.
Pampuri was baptized on August 13 1897, the following day after birth. When his mother died in 1900, he was taken care of by his maternal uncle and aunt who lived in a neighbouring village called Torrino. His father also died in 1907 in Milan in a road accident.
All through his childhood, Pampuri longed to become a priest but because of his frail health, he was discouraged from pursuing that way of life. His uncle who was a doctor however encouraged him to become a medical doctor too. He, therefore, resolved to study medicine.
Pampuri attended high school at Augustine’s College in Pavia where he also joined medical school. Here he was a staunch member of Severino Boezio Club for Catholic Action and Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.
On March 20 1921, at the Franciscan convent of Canepanova in Pavia, he joined the Third Order of Saint Francis and took the name “Antonio”.
At the height of the First World War, Pampuri served as a sergeant and later trained as an officer in the medical corps. He thereafter worked in the field hospitals in the battle zones.
When the war ended, he was discharged from the military and resumed his surgical and medical studies, and graduated at top of his class on July 6 1921.
In 1921, Pampuri joined his doctor uncle to practice and gain experience. He later worked briefly at the municipality of Vernate and then moved to practice at Morimondo in Milan.
In Morimondo, he was very instrumental in setting up a musical band and a Catholic Action Youth Club. He also became the secretary of the Parishes Missionary Aid Society.
Around this time Pampuri felt that his call to religious life was too strong and therefore, joined the religious life. He joined the Hospitallers of Saint John of God on June 22 1927. The main reason for joining the religious life was to enable him to intertwine his medical profession with evangelical holiness. He wanted to evangelize to his poor and suffering neighbours through his medical profession.
Pampuri entered the Saint John of God novitiate at Brescia where he took the religious name of “Riccardo”. After training, he became the director of the free dental clinic that belonged to the St John of God Brothers’ Hospital at Brescia.
Everywhere he went, Pampuri was a shining example of Christian virtue. He courageously professed the Gospel message to all and practiced works of charity with generosity to the poor and needy. Pampuri often took his free time, whether day or night, to tend to the sick free of charge and gave away food, clothing, and most of his belongings to help the poor and needy.
He prayed alot even when he was busy and spent long periods in adoration before the Tabernacle. He used to pray the Holy Rosary often due to his strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Death
Pampuri suffered from Pleurisy, bronco-pneumonia and tuberculosis which led to his death on May 1 1930.
Relics
Pampuri’s remains are preserved at The Catholic Church in Trivolzio, Italy where they were relocated on May 16 1951.
Beatification
The process towards the canonization of Pampuri began on April 1 1949 when his works were collected and documented. They were investigated and approved as theologically valid on May 4 1954.
On July 10 1970, he was named a Servant of God. He was proclaimed to be Venerable on June 12 1978 and finally beatified on October 4 1981 by Pope John Paul II after the first healing miracle was approved.
Canonization
After a second healing miracle was approved, John Paul II canonized Pampuri on November 1 1989 at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.
St Richard Pampuri Feast Day
We celebrate his feast day on May 1 every year in the Catholic Church.
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