ST DOMINIC BARBERI, PRIEST - 27 AUGUST

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN AUGUST

Saints celebrated on the 27th of August

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SAINT DOMINIC BARBERI, PRIEST 

Saint Dominic Barberi was a member of the Passionist Congregation and theologian, born near Viterbo, Italy, June 22, 1792; died near Reading, England, August 27, 1849. 

HE WAS EMPLOYED TO TAKE CARE OF THE SHEEP

Because both his parents died when he was very young, Dominic was adopted by his maternal uncle, Bartolomeo Pacelli. As a boy he was employed to take care of sheep, and when he grew older he did farm work. He was taught his letters by a kind Capuchin priest, and learned to read from a country lad of his own age; although he read all the books he could obtain, he had no regular education until he entered the Congregation of the Passion. 

HE READ ALL THE BOOKS HE COULD OBTAIN

He was deeply religious from childhood, felt himself distinctly called to join the Passionists, and believed that God, by a special manifestation, had told him that he was destined to announce the Gospel truth and to bring back stray sheep to the way of salvation.

HE BECAME A PASSIONIST

He was received into the Congregation of the Passion in 1814, and ordained priest, March 1, 1818. After completing the regular course of studies, he held in Italy the offices of rector, provincial consultor, and provincial, and fulfilled the duties of these positions with ability. At the same time he constantly gave missions and retreats. 

THE FIRST PASSIONIST RETREAT IN BELGIUM

He founded the first Passionist Retreat in Belgium at Ere near Tournai in 1840; in 1842 he established the Passionists in England, at Aston Hall, Staffordshire. In England he established three houses of the congregation. 

"THY WILL BE DONE"

He died [of a heart attack, still conscious, praying 'Thy will be done'] at a small railway station near Reading and was buried under the high altar of Saint Anne’s Retreat, Sutton, Saint Helen’s. 

Among the converts whom he received into the Church are John Henry Newman, and Newman’s two companions, E. S. Bowles and Richard Stanton, all of whom were afterwards distinguished Oratorians. St Dominic also wrote many remarkable works. 

(From Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913)