Servant of God Maggiorino Vigolungo

Servant of God Maggiorino Vigolungo

The beginnings of the Pauline apostolate would have resembled a vocational technical school, as Father Alberione coordinated a "Little Printshop" staffed in large part by school-age boys. Among these was Maggiorino Vigolungo, the son of humble farmworkers.

A boy of lively intelligence, Maggiorino wanted first place in everything: schoolwork, games, work--and goodness. He was only a child when he met Father Alberione, but Maggiorino entrusted himself to the priest for spiritual guidance. To Father Alberione, Maggiorino confided his dream: to become a saint, to be a priest, and to become an apostle of the good press.

When he was twelve, Maggiorino entered the Society of St. Paul. The Congregation had been begun barely two years earlier, but its charismatic identity was already strong. Maggiorino strongly desired to carry out the preaching of the Gospel through the printed word and by the distribution of uplifting books and periodicals. In the printshop, he kept the rustic presses rolling for hours, taking turns with the other boys for times of prayer and schoolwork. He would go out with the printed sheets and books, a newsboy for God. Maggiorino was delighted with his vocation, and firm with those who expressed disapproval with his choice.

Drawn to the Eucharist, Maggiorino made great sacrifices in order not to miss Holy Communion. One winter morning, after traveling several miles on foot, he arrived at the city of Alba at about nine hungry and tired. To the one who offered him a cup of milk, he responded, "Yes, but first Communion."

Rejecting the lure of mediocrity, this young boy took as his motto, "Progress a tiny bit every day." He was faithful to this resolution, making visible progress in virtue and in apostolic dedication.

Shortly after his fourtenth birthday, Maggiornio became gravely ill. Father Alberione asked him if he preferred to get well, or to go to Heaven. The boy responded, "I desire to do the will of the Lord." The other boys joined in three days of fervent prayer for their friend. As the triduum ended, on July 27, 1918, Maggiorino left this earth. His last words were a salutation for his companions in the young Society of St. Paul: "That we may find each other all together in Paradise."

The Holy Spirit guided Maggiorino along the path of true evangelical wisdom. Maggiorino corresponded to God's generous grace with a strong and decisive will. Among his personal writings, one finds,"Let Jesus live in you"--an exhortation drawn from Paul, for whom "to live is Christ."

Maggiorino wrote, "With the grace of the Lord and the help of the Blessed Mother, I want to become a saint, a great saint, and a saint very soon."

He had dreamed and desired to carry the Gospel of Christ along the ways of the whole earth, with all the means technology would offer. Instead, he offered his young life for the newborn Pauline Family, for the apostolate of communication. It was an offering that, like a fruitful seed sown in the ground, would bear much fruit.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for having chosen Maggiorino Vigolungo to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world with the means of social communication, and for having granted to this faithful servant of yours a living desire for holiness, and a love for the salvation of the brethren that was so great that he offered his young life for the apostolate of the editions.

We pray you, Lord, to glorify your young servant even on this earth, for the edification and consolation of many young people, so that, sustained by your grace and drawn by his example, they may generously follow your call and complete the mission which you yourself entrust to them for your glory and the salvation of their brothers and sisters.

Translated and adapted from "Testimoni Paolini."