Quick Facts
- Born to a wealthy, pious family.
- Studied at the University of Turin, and the College of Saint Sulpice in Paris.
- Ordained in 1851 at the Church of the Visitation.
- After studies in France, he returned to Italy to take the assignment of ""provisional director"" of an impoverished college for young working men; he would spend his career there.
- Founded the Society of Saint Joseph of Turin modelled after and under the patronage of Saint Joseph, the model for working people; it still exists, and still supports young apprentices.
- Founded a center for delinquent boys, the forerunner of Boy's Town and similar institutions.
- Supported the Catholic Workers Union.
- Established a national federation to improve the level of Italian journalism.
- A model for Christian social workers, he was dubbed a Socialist for advocating an 8-hour work day in 1885.
