Saint John Baptist de Rossi

Saint John Baptist de Rossi, sometimes called Giovanni Battista de’ Rossi in Italian, was a priest who lived in Rome in the 1700s. He became known for his deep care for the poor, the sick, and those forgotten by society. Though not from a wealthy or powerful family, he had a strong desire to serve others, especially people who had no one else to turn to. His life was filled with quiet acts of mercy and faith.

He was born in Italy and spent most of his life in Rome. There, he walked the streets, listened to confessions, and helped those who were sick or dying. He also worked with prisoners and people in hospitals. He was not known for leading large groups or starting movements. Instead, he gave his time and attention to individuals, often the ones others avoided.

Many people in Rome came to know him. He never made a show of his faith or his service. He chose simple ways to love others. His work wasn’t flashy, but it touched many lives. He believed that every person mattered, especially those who were suffering.

Though he had health problems for much of his life, he kept going. He saw his own weakness as a way to grow closer to Christ. He didn’t let sickness stop him from helping others. He would often visit the sick even when he was not feeling well himself.

After his death, people remembered him for his kindness and his simple way of living out the Gospel. He was declared a saint many years later. His feast day is celebrated on May 23. Today, he is remembered as a saint who loved the forgotten people of Rome and gave them hope.

John Baptist de Rossi was born on February 22, 1698, in Voltaggio, a small town in northern Italy. His family was poor but deeply faithful. His parents taught him to love God and to care for others. Even as a young boy, John showed a strong desire to follow Jesus. He would often pray alone and spend time reading about the saints.

When he was ten years old, a noble family in Genoa noticed his talents and helped pay for his education. This was a great blessing for John and his family. He was sent to study in Rome, where he lived with relatives. While in school, he kept growing in faith and learning. He also became known for being kind and generous to others, even when he had little himself.

John had health problems from a young age. He suffered from epilepsy, which caused seizures. This made his life difficult, and sometimes people avoided him because of it. But John did not give up. He trusted that God had a plan for him, even in his weakness. His illness helped him become more patient and more understanding toward those who suffered.

As he grew older, John felt called to become a priest. Some people were unsure because of his health, but he kept moving forward. He prayed, studied, and stayed focused. He believed that the priesthood was his path, and he worked hard to prepare for it.

He was finally ordained a priest in 1721. Even before his ordination, he had already begun helping the poor and visiting hospitals. Becoming a priest only deepened his mission. He wanted to serve not only in churches but also in the streets, where people were most in need.

As a priest in Rome, John Baptist de Rossi chose a simple life. He didn’t want honors or titles. He just wanted to be with people. He spent much of his time in confession, listening to people’s sins and helping them find peace. He believed God’s mercy was greater than any mistake a person could make.

He visited hospitals and poorhouses. He would often bring food, comfort, and prayers to the sick and elderly. He didn’t rush. He would sit with people, talk with them, and sometimes just listen. He believed every person deserved attention and care, no matter how poor or sick they were.

John also visited prisons. Many of the prisoners had no one to visit them. Some had been forgotten by society. But John saw them as children of God. He treated them with respect and kindness. He encouraged them to turn their lives around and believe that they were still loved.

He often helped people who were ashamed or afraid to go to church. He reached out to them where they were. He didn’t wait for people to come to him. He went out to them, walking the streets and alleys of Rome, looking for those who needed help.

He also worked with young priests, helping them learn how to be good confessors. He taught them to be gentle, patient, and full of mercy. He knew how important this was, especially for people who were scared or unsure about going to confession.

John never looked down on anyone. He saw Christ in the poor, the sick, and the broken. His priesthood was not about power or status. It was about love in action.

Though John worked hard for others, his own health never improved. He continued to have seizures and other problems. Sometimes he had to rest for days at a time. But when he could, he went right back to work. His suffering made him more compassionate. He knew what it meant to struggle.

He once became a canon at the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. This was an honor, but John remained humble. He used the position to help more people. He never took advantage of his role. He lived simply and gave much of his money to the poor.

Confession was one of his main ministries. He spent long hours in the confessional. People came from all over to speak with him. He listened carefully and gave advice that was gentle but honest. He wanted everyone to know that God forgives and welcomes them back.

He also helped establish a home for homeless women, working with others to make it a safe and peaceful place. He cared especially for those who had been rejected. He believed in second chances and new beginnings.

Even in his last years, John continued to serve. His body was weak, but his spirit stayed strong. He didn’t draw attention to himself. He lived and served quietly, always pointing others toward Christ.

His life showed that holiness doesn’t need to be big or loud. It can grow in small acts of love repeated over time. He didn’t change the world with grand gestures. He changed it by being present to the people who needed him.

John Baptist de Rossi died on May 23, 1764, at the age of 66. The people of Rome mourned his passing. Many had come to rely on his kindness, his listening ear, and his prayers. Even though he had never been a bishop or started an order, he had made a strong impact on the city.

Over time, stories of his quiet acts of love spread. People began asking the Church to recognize his holiness. After careful review, Pope Pius IX declared him Blessed in 1860. Later, Pope Leo XIII canonized him a saint in 1881.

Today, Saint John Baptist de Rossi is the patron saint of people with epilepsy, those who suffer from illness, and people who have been abandoned. These are all groups he helped in life. It makes sense that he would still be praying for them in heaven.

His feast day is May 23, the day he died. On this day, the Church remembers his life of service and prayer. He reminds us that we don’t need to be strong or important to do great good. We just need to love others where we are.

Many churches, schools, and missions have taken his name. His example continues to inspire priests, laypeople, and anyone who wants to live the Gospel simply and faithfully. He is not a saint of high speeches or great fame. He is a saint of quiet acts and steady mercy.

Saint John Baptist de Rossi shows us that even in weakness, we can serve. Even in sickness, we can love. And even in a busy world, there is room for the kind of holiness that starts with noticing the people who are most often forgotten.