Born Ferdinando Santa Maria on May 4, 1883, this seminarian who died on November 18, 1902 is the latest of the Passionists to be added to the Choir of the Beatified.  He grew up near Ceccano where one of the first Foundations of Saint Paul of the Cross was made.  Ferdinando was of a serious mind, even as a youth and entered the Congregation of the Passion when he was but 17 years old.  He was attracted to the Passionist way of life by the beauty of the liturgy and the drama of Passionist preaching.  The miracle is that Grimoaldo achieved a life of holiness after having been professed for only two years.  Like other young religious of his time, it was noted that he accomplished ordinary things with extraordinary attention.

His devotion to the Eucharist as the memorial of the Passionn accompanies the revival of the Liturgical Movement around the time of Pope Pius X.  He was also noted for his devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus.  In the ceremony of his  beatification in 1995, Pope John Paul II highlighted Grimaoldo’s particular virtues:  1)  to give God priority;  2)  to give Jesus Crucified constant gratitude, two concrete works of penance and humility;  3)  to persevere in goodness at the cost of great sacrifice; and  4)  to be happy at all times and always to be available for service to others.

Interestingly, this Passionist chose as his religious name the name of a medieval mystic because it was the title of his parish as a youth.  He wanted to demonstrate the connection between a vigorous parochial life, which consisted of history, tradition, the celebration of the Sacraments and Liturgy and defense of neighborhood and community.  Meningitis cut short his very practical ideals.  However, his memory lives on and when people reflect upon his life and his name, they are reminded of the call to sanctity which is extended to all.

Father Jerome M. Vereb, C.P.

Lord God, you demonstrated through your servant Grimoaldo a modern sense of the Passion of Jesus.  By walking in his footsteps, may we reflect the priority of the love of God also.  We ask this through the same Christ our Lord.  Amen.

*  After his death, Grimoaldo’s mother emigrated to the United States and settled near Albany, NY.  His family lives there even today. Many favors are reported through his intercession.

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