(1789-1846) Saint Anthony Mary Gianelli was born to a poor farming family in Italy. The owner of the farm paid for his seminary, and he received a special dispensation to be ordained at a young age, partly because he was such an excellent student. He founded several brief-lived orders and one that still serves today, called the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden. Saint Anthony became the bishop of Bobbio, Italy, and constantly visited the parishes in his care.
Saint Anthony Mary Gianelli started his vocation young and remained active in service throughout his 57 years of life. He may not have the dramatic stories of some saints’ lives, but he lived life with heroic virtue. That’s what it means to be canonized a saint. In Steps 4-7, we boldly examine our lives, in Steps 8-9, we make right our wrongs, and in Steps 10-12, we continue to grow in virtue. How can the Twelve Steps help you live your vocation of being a saint?
“Time is short. While we have it, let us do good” (Saint Anthony Mary Gianelli).