Attilio Giordani

The life of Attilio Giordani is inseparable from his commitment to the Saint Augustine Oratory in Milan. A true linchpin of this Salesian work, he deployed a joyful and creative pedagogy there, inspired directly by Don Bosco's Preventive System. An outstanding catechist and youth leader, he used games, theater, liturgy, and outdoor activities to evangelize and form young people.

In the aftermath of the Second World War, deeply affected by the distress of children traumatized by the conflict, he founded the "Crusade of Kindness" (Crociata della bontà). This initiative, which spread throughout Italy, aimed to restore hope to young people through concrete actions of solidarity, sharing, and prayer.

His work then extended to Brazil, where he volunteered with Operation Mato Grosso, a missionary youth movement founded by the Salesian priest Ugo De Cenzi. In Poxoréu, he applied the same methods of animation and catechesis to the local populations, sharing the life of evangelical poverty of the most destitute.

The reputation of holiness of Attilio Giordani spread rapidly after his death, both in Italy and in Brazil. The cause for beatification and canonization was officially introduced in the Archdiocese of Milan.

The diocesan inquiry opened on November 21, 1994, and closed on January 19, 1996. The decree of validity for this inquiry was issued by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on March 20, 1997. The Positio, a summary document demonstrating the heroic nature of his virtues, was published in 2001.

On October 9, 2013, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic virtues of Attilio Giordani, thereby conferring upon him the title of Venerable. To this day, no miracle has yet been officially approved to pave the way for his beatification, which constitutes the next step in the canonical process.

The spirituality of Attilio Giordani is that of a layman deeply inserted into the world, who knew how to sanctify daily life through the duty of state, family life, and the apostolate. His faith was nourished by a daily practice of meditation, the Eucharist, and the Rosary. He liked to repeat: "Death must find us alive," a maxim that illustrates his desire to live every moment in active charity and spiritual vigilance.

His legacy lies in his model of lay and family holiness, particularly valued by the Salesian Family. He demonstrates that it is possible to live the Gospel with radicality while fully assuming his responsibilities as a husband, father, and worker. The presence of his body in Milan and his heart in Poxoréu symbolizes the universality of his witness, shared between his native land and his land of mission.