Maggiorino Vigolungo

Maggiorino (MA-JOR-EE-NO) was a remarkable boy. He grew up in a small town in Northern Italy almost 100 years ago and helped his parents on the farm when days were long and hot. During that time, Fr. Alberione (AL-BEAR-EE-OWN-EE) opened a school for printing in Alba, not too far from Benevello, where Maggiorino lived. Maggiorino heard Fr. Alberione talk about printing good books for people to read. He thought to himself—I must prepare myself to write and print books. 

Soon enough Maggiorino went to live with other boys who joined Fr. Alberione at the printing school. There Maggiorino grew in holiness and loved to study and pray. He worked hard at trying to be "a little better every day." He wanted to become a saint! After a while, Maggiorino found out that he had a disease that could not be cured. As he was dying, he promised Fr. Alberione that from heaven he would pray for all those who would follow him in spreading the good news through printing. Now thousands of people carry out the work Maggiorino helped begin.

Maggiorino listened to God in his heart.

He followed his vocation with lots of love.

He learned to write so that he could tell other people about God.

He tried to be closer to God each day.

Even when he was sick, he thought of others.