Blessed Grimoaldo of the Purification, November 18
Pope St. John Paul II described him as a model of spirituality “firmly rooted in Christ’s paschal mystery,” emphasizing the importance of a deep prayer life, devotion to the Passion of Christ, and finding Christ and true joy in the sacraments. Despite his short life, Blessed Grimoaldo of the Purification has left a lasting impression encouraging us to live and be Catholic – intentionality!
Blessed Grimoaldo was cheerful, kind, and went out of his way to help others. His prayer life made him an example for his peers. He was born to parents Peter Paul and Cecilia Santamaria, in France in 1883, and given the name Ferdinando.
He loved being an altar server and singing in the choir. Some would describe him as a child who truly loved Jesus and the Blessed Mother. He was fondly called “the little saint”.
Wanting to be a priest since he was a young boy, he entered the Passionist Congregation as a novitiate in 1899 by the age of 16. He took his vows a year later, also taking the name Grimoaldo for devotion to St. Grimoaldo, the patron saint of his native town in Pontecorvo, Italy. He also added the clarification “of the Purification” to emphasize his Marian devotion.
Sadly, Blessed Grimoaldo was never ordained. He died soon after contracting meningitis in 1902 at the age of 19.
NOTE: Photo restored by DWC
