Blessed Francesco Faa di Bruno was born in Alessandria, Italy, on 7 March 1825. He was the youngest of 12 children in an aristocratic family. He was raised in a home marked by a concern for the poor arising from the parents' strong Catholic faith. He joined the Sardinian army and he had held the rank of captain-of-staff at one time.
After resigning from the military, Francesco pursued studies in mathematics and astronomy, eventually receiving a doctorate from the University of Paris. On his return to Turin, he took the position of Professor of Mathematics at the local university. He established refuges for the elderly and poor, and also oversaw the construction of a church in Turin dedicated to the memory of soldiers who died for the unification of Italy. St. John Bosco convinced Francesco to become a priest, and he was ordained in Rome at age fifty-one.
Fr. Francesco founded the Minim Sisters of St. Zita in 1881 to help maids and domestic servants, later expanding its outreach to include others, such as unmarried mothers. With their help, he also established another refuge, one dedicated to taking in prostitutes. Francesco has made significant contribution to the Church through his ascetical writings and the composition of some sacred melodies. He is also credited with several mathematical and geometric discoveries, including the celebrated ""Faà di Bruno Formula."" Francesco Faa di Bruno died in Turin on 27 March 1888 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II on the centennial of his death in 1988.
Prayer
Blessed Francesco Faa di Bruno, pray for us to be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit to seek the common good for all persons."
Prepared and updated by:
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.
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