He was one of four friars of the monastery who taught in the so-called ‘Normal Schools’, institutions established for the children of the lower classes, though, in fact, the greater number of poor children received no education at all. It was due precisely to this apostolate in the schools that Stephen and three other friars were permitted to remain at San Marco when in September, 1810, the other members of the community were forced to leave.
It came naturally as he walked the streets of Trent and saw children involved in every type of mischief and danger, occasioned by boredom and the lack of guidance. Moved by such conditions, Stephen would converse with them, share in their games, and invite them to his brother’s home. He began to offer them instruction, as well as what food and articles of clothing he could find for those in need of them.
In short time the numbers of children who came to him increased and the more formal organization of classes began. By year’s end more than 200 boys and girls became students of Fr. Stephen’s free school, as well as recipients of every kind of benevolence he had to offer. The school had by now outgrown the Bellesini home as well as the outreach of this single teacher, who therefore rented additional space and hired assistants, all at his own expense. But as attentive as he was to their physical needs, and as fervent his desire to provide them with adequate instruction, Stephen was motivated no less by a concern for their religious formation.
-Michael DiGregorio, OSA
Posted by Carlos J. Medina, Novice
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