SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 12 ( SAINT JOSEPH MOSCATI )

Saint Joseph Moscati

Also known as
• Giuseppe Mario Carolo Alphonse  Moscati
• Joseph Mario Charles Alphonse Moscati

Additional Memorial

16 November (translation of relics)

Profile

Seventh of nine children born to a prominent family, the son of Francsco Moscati, a lawyer and magistrate who served as an altar server whenever possible, and Rosa de Luca dei Marchesi di Roseto, whose family was Italian nobility. Giuseppe's family moved to Naples, Italy when the boy was four years old; he made his First Communion at age eight, Confirmation at ten. Friend of Blessed Bartolo Longo and Blessed Caterina Volpicelli. Received his doctorate from the University of Naples in 1903. Worked at and served as administrator of a hospital for the incurable while continuing to study and do medical research. Assisted in the preparation for and recovery from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius on 8 April 1906, but refused any recognition for the work. Led the work to stop cholera in Naples. Member of the Royal Academy of Surgical Medicine in 1911, and received a doctorate in physiological chemistry. Directed several hospitals and medical societies, and was one of the first to experiment with the use of insulin for diabetes. Tried to enlist in the army in World War I, but was refused and instead ran a hospital for the wounded; personally treated almost 3,000 soldiers. He healed (sometimes miraculously), taught at numerous universities and hospitals, and supported the poor and outcast; could sometimes diagnose a patient's illness and prescribe for it without having seen the patient. Knew when and how to use a patient's faith and the sacraments to effect a cure. First modern physician to be canonized.

Born

25 July 1880 at Benevento, Italy asGiuseppe Mario Carolo Alphonse Moscati

Died

• around 3pm on 12 April 1927 of a stroke in his office in Naples, Italy while taking a break between patients
• buried in the cemetery of Poggio Reale, Naples
• in 1920 he was re-intered in the church of Gesù Nuovo, Naples

Venerated

10 May 1973 by Pope Paul VI

Beatified

16 November 1975 by Pope Paul VI

Canonized

• 25 October 1987 by Pope John Paul II
• his canonization miracle involved curing a young ironworker who was dying of leukemia; the patient's mother dreamed of a doctor wearing a white coat; she later identified his as Moscati when shown a photograph of him; soon after her son was cured

Patronage

• bachelors
• people rejected by religious orders
• physicians

Representation

• white coat
• lab coat.