Innocenzo of Berzo, Bl.

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INNOCENZO OF BERZO, BL.

Italian Capuchin priest; b. Niardo, near Brescia, March 19, 1844; d. Bergamo, March 3, 1890. When Pietro Scalvinoni, his father, died a month after the birth of the boy, Francesca, his mother, moved to Berzo and there raised her only child. After studying at the diocesan seminary in Brescia, Giovanni (his name in baptism) was ordained (1867). He worked as assistant to the pastor of Berzo and then as vice rector of the Brescia seminary, where the seminarians referred to him as "the saint." In 1874 he joined the Capuchins and took the name Innocenzo (see franciscans, capuchin). He pronounced his final vows (1878) and was appointed assistant master of novices. His remaining years were devoted also to preaching and hearing confessions. Soon after his death, his remains were transferred by popular request to Berzo. He was beatified Nov. 12, 1961.

Feast: March 3.

Bibliography: g. da nadro, L'Ombra sua torna (2d ed. Milan 1950). Lexicon Capuccinum (Rome 1951) 820. Acta Apostolicae Sedis 53 (1961) 803808. b. burkey, "In Silence and Shadows," The Cord 12 (1962) 200207.

[t. macvicar]