Maggiorino Vigolungo
He was born in Benevello (Cuneo, North Italy) on 6 May 1904 into an exemplary peasant family rich in faith.
The environment around him in the family and in the village was conducive for his religious upbringing. He was a teenager with sharp intelligence and lively temperament, and always sought to be the first in everything: in study, work, play and goodness.
memories of the past
He entered the Society of St Paul on 15 October 1916 at the age of twelve. His companions immediately noticed the maturity of this 12-year-old boy, and his talents. He was happy with his vocation and desired to preach the Gospel by means of the press and the diffusion of good books and newspapers. He felt that it was the right place for him. He had a very delicate conscience which helped him to follow God’s ways in responding to God’s call he felt in his heart.
He wrote to his family: “Pray that I may not go back on my vocation because it is the most beautiful gift of all. The vocation is of utmost importance and I must follow it in every respect.”
In his great love for the Eucharist, Maggiorino would sustain even great sacrifices to receive Holy Communion. Winter in northern Italy is freezing cold. Once on such a day in winter, from his village he walked 14 kilometers and arrived at Alba at about 9.00 in the morning. He was hungry, tired and numb with cold, but he refused a cup of hot milk offered to him and said: “I must first receive Holy Communion”.
When he was fourteen, he was stricken with pleurisy. He was taken to his home, to the care of his parents. Maggiorino accepted his pains and hoped to return to the Institute quickly.
Fr Alberione asked him whether he preferred to recover or to go to Paradise: he answered, “My desire is to do the will of God.”
His long and painful agony lasted for four days. His companions had a triduum of adoration before the blessed sacrament for him. They took turns praying for their beloved companion. On the concluding day of the triduum Maggiorino left this earth: on Saturday, 27 July 1918.
His last words were; “Salute all of my companions for me that they may pray for me and that we might be united in Paradise.
With the grace of God and the assistance of the Blessed Mother, I want to become a saint, a great saint, quickly.” These were the words spoken and written by an aspiring Maggiorino, convinced that sanctity is possible even for the young.
He was proclaimed “Venerable” on 28 March, 1988. Our saintly Founder presented Maggiorino to the Pauline Aspirants as their model and patron.