Oreste Fontanella

After serving as a curate in Strona from 1907 to 1909, Father Oreste Fontanella became the spiritual director of the diocesan seminary of Biella at only 26 years of age, succeeding Canon Giuseppe Botta. Mobilized as a military nurse during the First World War from 1916 to 1919, upon his return he found a dilapidated seminary which he restored with gentleness and firmness. During the financial crisis of the 1930s following the bankruptcy of the Credito Biellese, he spared no effort and used his own funds to preserve the well-being and family spirit of the seminarians.

In 1933, during a retreat at the Villa Santa Croce in San Mauro Torinese, Father Oreste Fontanella solemnly offered his life to Christ for the sanctification of seminarians. Worn out by his dedication and sacrifices, his health declined rapidly. He died in the reputation of holiness on March 26, 1935, in Biella at the age of 51. He was buried in the crypt of the Biella seminary, in accordance with his wish to remain among his seminarians.

An ordinary informative process on his life and virtues was conducted by the Diocese of Biella from 1957 to 1965. The cause was officially introduced in Rome on July 12, 1982. On December 21, 1991, Pope John Paul II signed the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues, thereby declaring him venerable.

The spirituality of Father Oreste Fontanella rests on trust in Providence and love for the Eucharist, guided by his motto: 'Glory to God, pleasure to others, sacrifice for me.' Close to Blessed Giuseppe Allamano, he encouraged missionary vocations and facilitated the sending of a replica of the Black Madonna of Oropa to Kenya. Today, his crypt at the Biella seminary houses a highly frequented perpetual Eucharistic adoration chapel.