“God’s invitation to become Saints is for all, not just a few.”

Luigi was born in Conegliano on November 1, 1841, the only son of Augustine Tezza and Cathetine Nedwiedt. His father was a medical doctor and died when Luigi was 9.

When he was 15, his mother entrusted her son to the Camillian Order and she entered the convent of the Visitation where she was renowned.

4 years after ordination, he was presented with an opportunity of fulfilling a long standing desire to become a missionary to Africa but he sought obedience to his superiors who were not in favour and he was transferred to Rome instead.

In 1871, he was sent to the new foundation in France. Through his dedication and zeal, he succeeded in setting up specific Camillian social facilities for the spiritual and corporal benefit of the sick. With the country’s suppression of religious institutes in 1880, he was expelled from France however he secretly returned and united the scattered religious and laid down the foundations for resistance to the suppression.

After being elected Procurator and Vicar General of the Camillians in 1891, he returned to Rome and met Saint Josephine Vannini and together they established the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Camillus with the charism of serving the sick, enriching it with tenderness, hospitality, intuition and attentive listening. Approved by the Holy See in 1931, it has experienced rapid growth and expansion.

At the age of 59, he was sent to Peru with a brief task but remained for 23 years until his death. He enriched his surroundings with great charity and love of God. Besides his work in re-establishing the regular life in the religious communities, he dedicated himself to the needs of the sick, especially the poor, in their homes, hospitals and prisons. In addition, he helped another founder, Teresa Candamo, overcome her initial difficulties with her new Institute.

For God’s Glory.