Francesco Maria Greco
Italian diocesan priest and founder of the Congregation of the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts with Maria Teresa De Vincenti.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
5 reading sections
Biography
Birth, youth, and priestly formation of Francesco Maria Greco in Acri and Naples.
Francesco Maria Greco was born in Acri, in the province of Cosenza (Calabria, Italy), on July 26, 1857. The son of Raffaele Greco, a pharmacist, and Concetta Pancaro, he grew up in a deeply Christian family. His maternal uncle, the priest Don Luigi Pancaro, guided him in his early studies. After secondary studies in Naples, he felt a call to the priesthood while praying at the Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii. Despite his father's reservations, he was ordained a priest on December 17, 1881. He obtained a doctorate in theology in Naples in 1885, then taught at the seminary of Bisignano (of which he became rector) and of Cosenza. In 1887, he became pastor of the San Nicola parish in Acri, and later archpriest.
Life and Work
Father Greco's pastoral action and the foundation of the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts.
Aware of the spiritual and moral misery in Calabria, Father Greco placed catechesis at the heart of his pastoral action. To support his works of evangelization, he founded the congregation of the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts on November 21, 1894, with his collaborator Raffaella De Vincenti (Sister Maria Teresa of the Sacred Hearts). The institute is dedicated to evangelization, catechesis, and charity towards the most destitute (kindergartens, workshops, Caritas hospital). The institute received diocesan approval in 1902, the pontifical decree of praise in 1931, and the definitive approval of the Holy See in 1940.
Path to holiness
The death of Father Greco in the odor of sanctity and the opening of his cause for beatification.
Father Francesco Maria Greco passed away in Acri on January 13, 1931, at the age of 73, following a bout of bronchitis. In 1961, his remains were transferred to the church of San Francesco di Paola in Acri. His cause for beatification opened at the diocesan level on December 8, 1957. On April 19, 2004, Pope John Paul II recognized the heroic nature of his virtues, declaring him Venerable.
Beatification and canonization
The recognition of a miracle and the beatification ceremony in 2016.
On January 21, 2016, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing a miracle attributed to his intercession (the unexplained recovery of a woman who had fallen into a coma following post-operative complications). The beatification ceremony was celebrated on May 21, 2016, at the San Vito-Marulla stadium in Cosenza, presided over by Cardinal Angelo Amato on behalf of the Pope.
Spirituality and legacy
Devotion to the Sacred Hearts and the international expansion of the congregation.
The spirituality of Francesco Maria Greco is based on the contemplation of the merciful love of God through the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. He himself designed the coat of arms of his institute with the Eucharistic motto "Gustate et Videte" and the prayer "Venga il Regno Tuo". Today, the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts continue his work in Italy and internationally (Albania, United States, India, Argentina).
Frequently asked questions about Francesco Maria Greco
Who was Francesco Maria Greco?
Italian diocesan priest and founder of the Congregation of the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts with Maria Teresa De Vincenti.
Which saints were contemporaries of Francesco Maria Greco?
Contemporaries include: Pauline of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus, Felipe de Jesús Munárriz and 50 companions, Mariano de Jesús Euse Hoyos and Teresa of Jesus of the Andes.
When did Francesco Maria Greco die?
Francesco Maria Greco died around 1931.
What are the other names of Francesco Maria Greco?
Other forms of the name: François-Marie Greco.
Who are the relatives of Francesco Maria Greco?
Relatives of Francesco Maria Greco: Raffaele Greco (father), Concetta Pancaro (mother) and Luigi Pancaro (maternal uncle).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Era / death: 1931
- Beatification in 2016 by Francis