Gregorio Barbarigo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint Gregorio Barbarigo |
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| Bishop of Padua | |
Gregorio Barbarigo by Ermanno Stroiffi
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| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Diocese | Padua |
| See | Padua |
| Appointed | 24 March 1664 |
| Enthroned | 24 April 1664 |
| Reign ended | 18 June 1697 |
| Predecessor | Giorgio Corner |
| Successor | Giorgio Cornaro |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Priest of San Marco (1677-97) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 21 December 1655 |
| Consecration | 29 July 1657 by Marcantonio Bragadin |
| Created Cardinal | 5 April 1660 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Gregorio Giovanni Gaspare Barbarigo |
| Born | 16 September 1625 Venice, Republic of Venice |
| Died | 18 June 1697 (aged 71) Padua, Republic of Venice |
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| Sainthood | |
| Feast day |
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| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 6 July 1761 Saint Peter's Basilica, Papal States by Pope Clement XIII |
| Canonized | 26 May 1960 Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City by Pope John XXIII |
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Gregorio Giovanni Gaspare Barbarigo (born September 16, 1625 – died June 18, 1697) was an Italian Roman Catholic cardinal. He served as the Bishop of Bergamo and later as the Bishop of Padua. He was known for his smart diplomatic work and his deep learning.
Barbarigo was also a caring church leader. He paid close attention to his church communities. He often visited the different parishes in his area. He was considered a strong candidate to become pope in 1689 and 1691.
He was declared a saint in 1960 by Pope John XXIII. Pope John XXIII saw Barbarigo as a great role model. He had a special devotion to him because he came from the same area, Bergamo. Saint Gregorio Barbarigo's feast day is celebrated on June 18.
Contents
Life Story
Early Life and Learning
Gregorio Giovanni Gaspare Barbarigo was born in Venice, Italy, on September 16, 1625. He was the oldest of four children. His father, Giovanni Francesco Barbarigo, was a senator. His mother, Lucrezia Leoni, passed away in 1631 during a plague. After her death, his father brought a cousin, Franchesina Lippomani, to care for the children.
Gregorio's father taught him about philosophy and math. Other teachers taught him Latin and Greek. He also learned the basics of music. He was related to several other cardinals and two Venetian leaders called Doges.
In 1643, Gregorio worked as a secretary for the Venetian ambassador. He traveled to Münster for important peace talks. These talks led to the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. There, he met Archbishop Fabio Chigi, who later became Pope Alexander VII. Gregorio then visited Holland, Flanders, and Paris. In 1648, he returned to Venice and continued his studies in Padua.
In 1650, he started a political career. However, he did not enjoy it. In 1653, he went to Rome for advice from Cardinal Chigi. Cardinal Chigi suggested he become a church leader and study law.
Becoming a Priest and Bishop
Gregorio earned a doctorate in both church law and civil law on September 25, 1655. He became a priest on December 21, 1655. Cardinal Gianfrancesco Morosini, the Patriarch of Venice, ordained him.
In 1656, he went to Rome. Pope Alexander VII, his old friend, asked him to join the papal service. Gregorio was given a special role helping the pope. In 1656, he helped organize aid for people in Rome who were sick with the plague. He made sure mothers and children were cared for. He also helped with funerals and comforted those who were scared or sad. He personally nursed the sick and buried the dead.
On July 9, 1657, the pope made him the Bishop of Bergamo. Before accepting, Gregorio prayed during a Mass. He felt a clear call from God to take on this role. He officially became bishop on September 2, 1657. He arrived in Bergamo on March 27, 1658. As bishop, he visited all 279 parishes in his diocese.
Becoming a Cardinal
Gregorio was a very successful bishop. His good work became widely known. His friend, Pope Alexander VII, made him a cardinal on April 5, 1660. He was first given the title of Cardinal-Priest of San Tommaso in Parione. Later, he changed to Cardinal-Priest of San Marco in 1677.
In 1664, he became the Bishop of Padua. He wanted to be like Charles Borromeo, another famous saintly bishop. He worked hard to improve the seminaries (schools for priests) in Padua and Bergamo. He added an archive and a printing press in Padua. In 1683, he held a special meeting for his diocese. He also wrote rules for church studies in 1690. He visited all 320 parishes in his new diocese.
In 1678, Cardinal Barbarigo learned that Elena Cornaro Piscopia wanted to study theology. He did not allow this because she was a woman. However, he did allow her to earn a degree in philosophy, which she did.
As a cardinal, he took part in several elections for a new pope. He was considered a possible candidate for pope in 1689 and 1691. However, he did not receive enough votes. He did not attend the 1669-70 election. In 1676, the new pope, Pope Innocent XI, asked Barbarigo to stay in Rome. He advised the pope on education and on reuniting Eastern Christian churches. He also consecrated Niels Stensen as a bishop in 1677.
Cardinal Barbarigo strongly supported teaching the Catholic faith. He traveled to every village in his diocese to teach and preach. He was known for his kindness to the poor. He often gave away his household items and clothes to help them. Once, he even sold his own bed to help someone in need.
Gregorio Barbarigo passed away after a short illness on June 18, 1697, in Padua. He was buried in the cathedral there.
Becoming a Saint
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Bishop Barbarigo was known for his strong faith and patience. People quickly reported miracles linked to him, showing his holiness.
Because of his holy life, people began asking the church to start the process for him to become a saint. The first part of this investigation finished on July 11, 1716. The official process began under Pope Innocent XIII on July 3, 1723.
His body was examined on May 25, 1725. Many believed his body was found to be perfectly preserved. His nephew, Bishop Giovanni Francesco Barbarigo, led this examination.
Pope Clement XIII declared Barbarigo "Blessed" in 1761. This step is called beatification. Pope Clement XIII's mother was a distant relative of Cardinal Barbarigo.
Later, Pope John XXIII officially declared Gregorio Barbarigo a saint in 1960. Pope John XXIII had a special connection to Barbarigo. As a young priest in 1911, he signed a petition asking Pope Pius X to continue Barbarigo's sainthood cause. Pope Pius X agreed in 1912.
Pope John XXIII felt a strong bond with Barbarigo. He saw him as a great example throughout his life. He made sure Barbarigo's feast day was added to the church calendar on June 17. Later, in 1969, the date was changed to June 18.
The Church of San Gregorio Barbarigo alle Tre Fontane in Rome is named after him.
See also
In Spanish: Gregorio Barbarigo para niños
