“Only one science is unwavering and uncontrolled, the science revealed by God, the science of the beyond.”

Giuseppe Mario Carolo Alphonse Moscati was born on July 25, 1880, in Benevento, Italy, as the 7th of 9 children of a prominent family.  His father, Francesco, was a lawyer and magistrate, and his mother Rosa, came from Italian nobility.  His family moved to Naples after his father’s new appointment and position.

“Peppino” as he was called, developed a deep faith from early on.  He became friends with Blessed Bartolo Longo and Saint Caterina Volpicelli, but his family moved several times around the city due to his father’s promotions.

At the age of 12, his brother received an incurable head trauma falling from a horse, and after witnessing the care he received, Giuseppe was inspired by medicine.  Shortly thereafter, his father died of a brain hemorrhage.

He received his doctorate from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Naples in 1903 and graduated with honors with a thesis worthy of print.

He passed major tests for positions with a hospital and begun his career in medicine, while also conducting medical research.

He assisted in the preparation and recovery from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1906 and was able to evacuate all of the patients just before the roof of the hospital collapsed. He refused any recognition.

He remained true to his faith, taking a vow of chastity and practiced charity in his daily work.  He viewed his practice of medical science as a way of alleviating suffering, instead of making a profit.  He paid close attention to the state of his patient’s soul as well as the body.  He spent much of his free time in prayer and attended mass daily.  He saw the Eucharist as the center of his life and was especially devoted to Mary.

He became a member of the Royal Academy of Surgical Medicine in 1911, received a doctorate in physiological chemistry, and led major efforts to combat cholera in Naples.  He directed several hospitals and medical societies and used his position to support the poor and outcast.  

He also saw patients who flocked to his home for care and refused payment.  On occasion he would send them home with not only a prescription but also money for medicine and food.  He bought large quantities of milk every morning, personally giving it to the undernourished children and the destitute in the poorest neighborhoods.

During WWI, he attempted to enlist but was refused due to his invaluable medical skills.  The military took over his hospital and he personally treated nearly 3,000 soldiers.

He was made a director of one of the local schools, taught clinical chemistry, and gave it up after just a year in order to continue his work at the hospital.

At times he could diagnose and prescribe treatments even without seeing a patient by utilizing the patient’s faith and the Sacraments.  His abilities were so remarkable, they were considered miraculous.  He maintained that there should be no contradiction or antithesis between science and faith.

After a day of attending Mass, conducting rounds at the hospital, and seeing patients at his home, he felt tired, sat down in his office armchair, suffered a stroke, and died on April 12, 1927.

He is the 1st modern physician to be recognized a saint.

He is the patron saint of bachelors, people rejected by religious orders, and physicians.

His feast day is November 16.

For God’s Glory