The Figure of Stephen Bellesini in the Year of the Priest (excerpts) - Part 1

We are fortunate to know a good deal about Stephen’s life and work. He was born on 25 November, 1774 in Trent, Italy and entered our monastery of San Marco there, professing vows on May 30, 1794. Three years later, on November 5, 1797, following studies in Bologna and Rome, he was ordained priest in the cathedral of Trent. Just eight days previously he had been carried to that same cathedral on a stretcher, not yet fully recovered from some serious illness, to meet his appointment for ordination to the diaconate. Years later Stephen’s niece, Marietta, recalled having heard this story told by her father, adding that “it showed how anxious Uncle Stephen was in wishing to receive holy Orders.” Sor Maria Emanuella della Santissima Trinità (Marietta Bellesini), in Positio P. Fr. Stephani Bellesini, Summarium 5, §35.

Stephen exercised his ministry at San Marco until 1809, both as teacher in the public schools and, for many years, as sacristan – or quasi-rector – of the monastery church. In this latter office it would fall to him to see that Mass and confessions were made available to the people who chose San Marco as their preferred place of worship. The celebration of Mass and the confession of penitents would be a large part of his ministry at San Marco, as well as the preaching of missions, tridua, or Lenten series, which he was frequently called upon to give both within and outside of Trent. His preaching activity was thus quite intense – as well as fruitful. One of his biographers, A. Weber, records that Stephen “devoted a great part of his night to study, drawing from the Gospel, as well as from reliable authors, the truths that he was to proclaim. Prayer was the key that he used to open minds and hearts, the dew that nourished the seed. As he grew in experience, he perfected the gift of entering and moving souls, and filled as he was with the spirit of charity, he anointed his sermons with the warmth of feeling, so that he could easily inspire his listeners, who flocked in droves to hear the thoughts by which he himself was moved.”A. Weber, Vita del B. Stefano Bellesini, Trento, 1940

-Michael DiGregorio, OSA

Posted by Carlos J. Medina, Novice