Francesco Chiesa

Who they were

Francesco Chiesa was born at Montà d'Alba (Cuneo) on 2 April 1874, trained as a seminarian at Turin and Alba, and was ordained priest on 11 October 1896, going on to earn degrees in theology, canon and civil law, and philosophy. He taught theology and philosophy at the seminary of Alba and later at the Pia Società San Paolo, founded in those years by the Blessed Giacomo Alberione. As parish priest-canon of Saints Cosmas and Damian in Alba from 1913, he built a notably active parish, founding Catholic Action, catechist groups and the parish choir school, and in 1933 became Apostolic Administrator of the diocese of Alba.

He had a profound influence on Alberione, founder of the Pauline Family, serving for many years as his spiritual director and confessor; Alberione himself called him his 'godfather' and credited him with giving the Pauline Family its teaching, spirit and guidance, and Chiesa constantly supported Alberione's work through preaching, teaching and spiritual direction. He died at Alba on 14 June 1946; his body was moved in 1960 to the church of San Paolo of the Pauline Family. His cause for beatification opened on 23 May 1975, and he was declared Venerable on 8 February 1988.

The miracles

The Church has not yet approved a miracle in this cause.

Why that counted as sanctity

Canon of Alba, spiritual director and confessor of Blessed Giacomo Alberione, founder of the Pauline Family; declared Venerable on 8 February 1988.

Connected on this site

• Saints Cosmas and Damian Saint
  “As parish priest-canon of Saints Cosmas and Damian in Alba from 1913, he built a notably active parish, founding Catholic Action, catechist groups and the parish choir school, and in 1933 became Apostolic Administrator of the diocese of Alba.” — this site's research