Nicola Mazza

The work of Nicola Mazza revolves around education and missions. In 1828, he founded the Institute of Charity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Sisters of Don Mazza) to welcome and train poor or orphaned young girls. In 1833, he created a male institute in Verona, supplemented in 1839 by a university residence in Padua, which would give birth to the Pia Società di don Nicola Mazza. Nicknamed "Don Congo," he actively promoted the evangelization of Central Africa, sending an expedition to Sudan in 1857 with Daniel Comboni, and training young African women redeemed from slavery so that they could become teachers in their home countries.

The cause for the beatification of Nicola Mazza progressed through several key stages in the 20th and 21st centuries. After diocesan informative trials in Verona between 1925 and 1937, and a supplementary inquiry in 1988-1989, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints validated the procedure in 1990. The Positio on the heroic nature of his virtues was submitted in the early 2000s. Following favorable opinions from historical consultants and theologians, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues on June 3, 2013, declaring him Venerable.

Nicola Mazza is currently recognized as venerable by the Catholic Church. For his beatification to be pronounced, the official recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession is required. To date, no miraculous healing has been the subject of a decree of approval by the Holy See.

The spirituality of Nicola Mazza rests on an absolute trust in Divine Providence and a profound sense of social justice, considering education as a duty of justice to enable the poorest to develop their talents. Today, the Pia Società di don Nicola Mazza manages university colleges in Verona, Padua, and Rome, and supports missions, notably in Brazil. The Sisters of Don Mazza continue their work with vulnerable people, while the missionary impetus transmitted to Saint Daniel Comboni is perpetuated through the Comboni congregations. His body rests in the chapel of the church of San Carlo Borromeo in Verona.