Blessed Benedetto Odescalchi
Blessed Benedetto Odescalchi (born February 5, 1679 AD in Rivolta d'Adda, Lombardy, Italy; died January 30, 1740 AD in Rome, Italy) was an Italian Jesuit priest of the Odescalchi noble family — grandnephew of Pope Innocent XI (Benedetto Odescalchi, r. 1676–1689) — who renounced a life of aristocratic privilege and an impending princeship to enter the Society of Jesus, and who spent his priesthood in apostolic work among the poor and sick. Born in Rivolta d'Adda in the Duchy of Milan, he was heir to the noble Odescalchi title and enormous family wealth. Instead of taking his place as a prince, he entered the Jesuits in 1720. He served as a priest in Rome until his death on January 30, 1740. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on April 19, 2001. His feast day is January 30.
Stored in Cargo: Blessed Benedetto Odescalchi
| Blessed Benedetto Odescalchi | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | January 30 |
| Profession | Jesuit priest; Italian noble who renounced title and wealth for religious life; minister to the poor; 18th-century apostle |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Society of Jesus (Jesuits); Odescalchi family Catholic tradition; 17th-18th century Jesuit spirituality; Ignatian spirituality |
| Patronage | Lombard nobility who renounce privilege; Jesuit seminarians; the poor of Rome; heirs who enter religious life; Como and Rivolta d'Adda |
| Attributes | Jesuit habit (black cassock); cross; arms of the Odescalchi family; a lily (renunciation); book (Ignatian spirituality); serving the poor |
| Birthplace | Rivolta d'Adda, Duchy of Milan (now Lombardy), Italy |
| Death Place | Rome, Papal States (now Italy) |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died January 30, 1740, in Rome; he was 60 years old; he had been a Jesuit priest for approximately 20 years; he had served the poor and sick of Rome in apostolic ministry; his death was regarded as the passing of a holy man; his cause was introduced in the 20th century and completed under Pope John Paul II |
| Primary Shrine | Rome, Italy — Jesuit churches; January 30 feast; JPII beatification 2001 |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman calendar; January 30 feast in the Society of Jesus and in the Diocese of Crema/Cremona |
| Historic Class | Not in 1962 calendar |
Biography
Benedetto Odescalchi was born February 5, 1679, in Rivolta d'Adda in the Duchy of Milan. He was born into the illustrious Odescalchi family — one of the great noble houses of Italy — and was the grandnephew of Pope Innocent XI (Benedetto Odescalchi, r. 1676–1689), who had himself been beatified by Pope Pius XII in 1956.
As the heir to the Odescalchi title and estates, Benedetto was expected to take his place among the Italian nobility. Instead, he entered the Society of Jesus in 1720 at the age of approximately 40, renouncing his title, his inheritance, and his worldly position.
He was ordained a Jesuit priest and served in Rome, ministering to the poor and the sick. He died on January 30, 1740, in Rome, at the age of 60.
He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on April 19, 2001.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Rivolta d'Adda, Duchy of Milan (now Lombardy), Italy
Death location: Rome, Papal States (now Italy)
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Feast day
January 30
Veneration
Blessed Benedetto Odescalchi (1679–1740) was an Italian Jesuit priest and grandnephew of Pope Innocent XI (himself beatified 1956) who renounced noble title and wealth to enter the Society of Jesus, spending his priesthood in ministry to the poor of Rome. He was the grandnephew of another Blessed. Beatified John Paul II, 2001. Feast January 30.
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