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Callisto CaravarioSaint of the Roman Catholic Church, priest
Date of Birth: 08.06.1903
Country:  Italy |
Content:
Saint Callistus Caravario
Early Life and EducationCallistus Caravario was born in 1903 in Italy. In 1914, he entered the Salesian Gymnasium in Turin, where he began his education.
Religious Vocation
In 1918, Caravario joined the novitiate of the Salesian order, a religious congregation dedicated to education and missionary work. He professed his monastic vows on September 19, 1919.
Mission to China
In 1924, Caravario was assigned to the Catholic mission in China. He arrived in Shanghai and began studying the Chinese language. On May 18, 1929, he was ordained a priest.
Martyrdom
In February 1930, Caravario accompanied Bishop Luigi Versiglia on a pastoral visitation to the Linchou district. Two girls and their guardian accompanied them. On February 25, 1930, the group was attacked by bandits in a secluded area near a river.
Caravario and Versiglia were brutally beaten in an attempt to protect the girls, who managed to escape. The bandits then shot and killed both missionaries out of hatred for the Christian faith.
Sainthood
Callistus Caravario was beatified on May 15, 1983, by Pope John Paul II. He was later canonized on October 1, 2000, as one of the 120 Chinese Martyrs.
Feast Day
In the Catholic Church, Caravario's feast day is celebrated on November 13 and July 9 (in the group of 120 Chinese Martyrs).
