Gaspar Bertoni

Gaspare Luigi Bertoni, CSS (9 October 1777 – 12 June 1853) was an Italian Catholic priest and the founder of the Congregation of the Sacred Stigmata, also known as the Stigmatines.

Life Gaspar Bertoni was born in Verona on 9 October 1777 to Francesco Bertoni (whose profession was the law) and Brunora Ravelli.

Bertoni served as the chaplain to the Daughters of Charity, founded by Magdalene of Canossa, while also serving as the spiritual director of the seminary. He was also one of the leaders to offer prayers and support for Pope Pius VII when he was imprisoned by Napoleon Bonaparte. His pastoral work was marked by the establishment of the Marian Oratories and the devotion to the Five Wounds of Christ and the establishment of schools for the poor. He founded the Congregation of the Sacred Stigmata of Our Lord Jesus Christ (the Stigmatines) on 4 November 1816. beset with fevers and a continuing infection in his right leg during the last two decades of his life. Over 300 operations were performed on his leg in an effort to stem the infection. However, he continued to serve as counsellor and spiritual director from his hospital bed until his death in 1853. Gaspare Luigi Bertoni was buried in the Veronese church of the Stimmate. The introduction of the cause came on 2 March 1906 under Pope Pius X, granting him the title of Servant of God.