Arcangelo Tadini (1846-1912)

Arcangelo Tadini was a Brescian priest who was described a true priest, an enterprising individual and a fascinating figure.  He skillfully interwove risk and faith, love for mankind and love for God, austerity and tenderness. 

Born in Verolanuova Italy on October 12, 1846, he completed his elementary education and high school before entering seminary in 1864.  After his ordination in 1870 he was appointed vicar-cooperator to Lodrino followed by a chaplaincy to the shrine of St. Maria della Noce, Brescia in 1873. Finally in 1885 he began his service in Botticino Sera where he remained until 1912. The years in Botticino were certainly the most fruitful in the life of Don Tadini. He loved his parishioners as his own children.  He started the Schola Cantorum. He offered religious instruction, said mass and had a particular focus on the celebration of the sacraments. He prepared homilies from the Word of God to encourage the spiritual journey of his people. When he spoke from the pulpit, all were amazed by the warmth and strength of his words.  The parishioners came to know that their parish priest had the heart of an attentive father and was sensitive to their hardships.

In 1900, Tadini founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Worker House of Nazareth: a group of consecrated women. He was an advocate and forceful voice for those working in spinning mills. He worked to improve conditions in factories that were dangerous and unethical. For this ministry Tadini would be misunderstood and slandered, even by the Church.

His Holiness Benedict XVI commended the "concrete and courageous initiatives" of St. Arcangelo Tadini. These included establishing the Catholic Workers' Mutual Assistance Association, building a textile mill and a residence for female workers, and founding the Congregation of Worker Sisters of the Holy House of Nazareth. His aim was to evangelize the world of work, sharing in its fatigues and following the example of the Holy Family of Nazareth. With the canonization, Pope Benedict XVI offers St. Arcangelo as an example for priests and suggested that he is an intercessor for families and a protector of employees.

Homily of Pope Benedict XVI (April 26 2009)

Source: Vatican Information Service

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