Bl. Contardo Ferrini

Born: April 4, 1859

Died: October 17, 1902

Beatified: April 13, 1947, by Pope Pius XII

Feast Day: October 17

Patron of: universities

Contardo's father taught mathematics and physics and passed on to his son both a passion for learning and the skills needed to acquire knowledge. By a very young age, Contardo had already mastered a number of foreign languages. His love for learning, however, did not stop with the liberal arts; he also studied his Catholic faith. Continuing with his formal education, he attained a doctorate of law in Italy and followed that up with the study of Roman-Byzantine law. Contardo followed in his father's footsteps and taught law in a number of schools including the University of Berlin, eventually teaching Roman law at the University of Pavia. His personal studies included the biblical languages so he could read and study the ancient Scriptures in their native languages. A daily Communicant, Contardo was very active in the Church ministries, was lay Franciscan and was a member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Professor Contardo's deep spirituality touched everyone he met. Contardo Ferrini died of typhoid fever in 1902 at the age of 43.