Giovanni Folci

The work of Father Giovanni Folci is intimately linked to his experience of war and captivity, which gave rise in him to the desire to support the priesthood and honor the memory of the victims of conflicts. He officially founded the Opera Divin Prigioniero (Work of the Divine Prisoner) in 1926, bringing together priests, religious, and laypeople for the sanctification of the clergy and the awakening of priestly vocations. To commemorate the sufferings of soldiers and prisoners of war, he had the sanctuary of Jesus the Divine Prisoner (Santuario di Gesù Divin Prigioniero) erected in Valle di Colorina, inaugurated on September 27, 1925. On November 29, 1926, he founded, with the collaboration of Celestina Gilardoni (in religion Sister Maria della Santissima Trinità), the Ancelle di Gesù Crocifisso (Handmaids of Jesus Crucified), who dedicate themselves to Eucharistic adoration, the assistance of priests, and the education of children. As early as 1921, the arrival of a first collaborating priest laid the foundations for the Sacerdoti di Gesù Crocifisso (Priests of Jesus Crucified). Finally, in January 1956, at the invitation of Pope Pius XII, Father Giovanni Folci founded the Saint Pius X pre-seminary within Vatican City to help young boys discern their priestly vocation while providing liturgical service at St. Peter's Basilica.

The reputation of holiness of Father Giovanni Folci was maintained well after his death, prompting the Diocese of Como to introduce his cause for beatification. On July 7, 2003, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints granted the nihil obstat for the opening of the cause under the pontificate of John Paul II. The diocesan inquiry took place in Como from September 15, 2004, to November 19, 2005. It was validated by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on February 24, 2007. The Positio super virtutibus was submitted in Rome on February 16, 2013, then approved by the theological consultants on June 3, 2014, before receiving the favorable opinion of the cardinals and bishops who are members of the Congregation on September 22, 2015.

On September 30, 2015, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic nature of the virtues of Giovanni Folci, officially declaring him venerable. The cause is currently awaiting the recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession to pave the way for his beatification.

The spirituality of Don Giovanni Folci rests on two pillars: love for the priesthood and devotion to the "Divine Prisoner." Marked by his own experience of captivity, he saw in Christ present in the tabernacle the "Divine Prisoner of love," offering Himself in silence for humanity. His great ideal was to accompany priests "from dawn to dusk" of their ministerial life. Before dying, he left this testament to his spiritual daughters: "Do everything for Love!" (Fate tutto per Amore!). Today, the Opera Don Folci continues its work through its various branches. The Saint Pius X Pre-Seminary, although having moved outside the Vatican walls in September 2021, continues to provide liturgical service at Saint Peter's Basilica. In 2025-2026, on the occasion of the centenary of the Valle di Colorina sanctuary, the community is celebrating the Folcian Year (Anno Folciano), marked in particular by the inauguration of the "Memorial of Nations" (Memoriale delle Nazioni) on November 9, 2025, a project of universal peace that was particularly dear to the founder.