Giuseppe Allamano

Santuario Della Consolata, Turin

Giuseppe Ottavio Allamano was born in Asti in 1851 as the fourth of five children to Joseph and Marianna Cafasso Allamano. His mother was the younger sister of Joseph Cafasso. His father died of anthrax when Giuseppe was three.[1]

From 1861 to 1866 Allamano attended the Oratory of John Bosco in Valdocco. He commenced his studies to become a priest in Turin in November 1866,[2] and was ordained to the priesthood on 20 September 1873. He was appointed spiritual director at the major seminary of the diocese of Turin. In 1876 he obtained a doctorate in theology.[3] He was appointed as the rector of the Santuario della Consolata on 2 October 1880 and he maintained that position until his death. Between 1883 and 1885 he restructured the Sanctuary and repaired the roof. In 1899 he commissioned the architect Carlo Ceppi to expand the interior space for the faithful with the construction of four circular chapels. Allamano ensured that the shrine became a source of spiritual renewal.[4]

Allamano also responded to requests for spiritual and material comfort of Turin supporting various social initiatives and promoting the Catholic newspapers. In 1899 he began publishing the monthly La Consolata.[3]

On recovering from a severe illness in 1891, he vowed to found a missionary society for priests and laymen.[5] Thus the Consolata Missionaries was born on 29 January 1901. The first missionaries reached Kenya in 1902,[4] joined in 1903 by the Sister of Cottolengo.[3] He also founded the Consolata Missionary Sisters for women on 29 January 1910.[6]

Due to the increasing size of the Christian population, it became quite clear that there were not enough priests and brethren to cater to the pastoral needs of the people. Allamano expressed this deep concern to Pope Pius X during a visit to Rome in 1912. He urged the pope to do something and perhaps establish an annual mission day to awaken missionary vocations.[2][7][8] War breaks out in the Balkans, and the proposals is postponed. During World War I he worked to assist refugees, and seminarians drafted. He also worked on the cause of his uncle, who was beatified in 1925.[1]

Allamano died in Turin in February 1926.[4]

The diocesan process commenced in 1944 in Turin and concluded its work in 1951. His cause was formally opened in Rome on 19 January 1952, granting him the title of Servant of God.[10] It received the formal decree of ratification several decades later on 5 October 1984. In 1987 the Positio was submitted to the Roman Congregation for the Causes of Saints for further evaluation.

Pope John Paul II proclaimed on 13 May 1989 that Allamano be made Venerable after he recognized that the late priest had lived a life of heroic virtue.

The miracle attributed to him for beatification was ratified on 17 October 1986 following the conclusion of a diocesan tribunal. John Paul II approved the miracle on 10 July 1990 and beatified him on 7 October 1990.

• Hagiography Circle
• Saints SQPN
• Pope John Paul II, Homily for the Beatification of Giuseppe Allamano, 7 October 1990, Libreria Editrice Vaticana