Saint Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo or Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo (May 3, 1786 – April 30, 1842) was the founder of the Little House of Divine Providence and is a saint of the Roman Catholic Church. He was born in Bra, then in the Kingdom of Sardinia, and became a canon in Turin. Don Cottolengo founded the “Little House of the Divine Providence” in Valdocco, wherein he housed all kinds of poor people. He also founded monasteries, convents, communities of priests, communities of brothers, and organised groups of lay volunteers. His colossal of charity stands today at the heart of Turin city as sign of what it means to love and serve others in evangelical way. Today Cottolengo Fathers, Sisters, and Brothers still work together in activities primarily geared at communicating God’s love for the poorest. They are spread out all over the world: Ecuador, India, Italy, Kenya, Switzerland, Tanzania and United States. Don Cottolengo died in Chieri, Piedmont on April 30, 1842. He was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1934, and his feast day is celebrated on April 30. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo was recently enlisted among the saints of charity by Pope Benedict XVI in his encyclical Deus Caritas Est.
(From Wikipedia)
(From Wikipedia)