VENERABLE
Fr. BARTHOLOMEW CANALE, Barnabite Priest
Milan Dec 10, 1605 - Monza Jan. 1681
Prayer for his
canonization
O Most Holy Trinity,
we kneel in adoration, and we beg you,
through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
to grant the glory of the altars
to the Venerable Bartholomew Canale,
who with great zeal exerted himself in the apostolic ministry
at the service of souls.
May the intercession of your Servant
be of help and consolation in our present needs.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
___________________________________
Author of ascetical works, spiritual director, exemplar of
contemplative life John Anthony Canale was bom in Milan on December 10,
1605. His parents. Mark Canale of Milan, and Cornelia Carcano of Lodi, were
middle class people involved in the lucrative market of silk. The Jesuits of
the Brera took care of his secondary education. At the age of twelve he asked
to enter the Barnabite Congregation since, as he said, it responded better to
his personality. He was accepted in St. Alexander in Milan. In 1626 he entered
the novitiate in Monza under the master Fr. John Alexander Ferrari. On the
feast of St. Bartholomew the provincial Superior, Fr. Chiesa, invested him with
the Barnabite habit and changed his name to Bartholomew. In a short time the
young novice gave signs of great virtues.
He professed his vows on September 1, 1627. For the study of
philosophy he went to Milan, Pavia, and Novara. In 1630, the year of the
plague, he was ordained a priest in Galliate by the bishop of Novara, Msgr.
Volpi. His first assignment was Monza, to last until 1660. Inclined as he was
to mystical life, Monza was the best place for him. Although for him spiritual
life had top priority, he did not shy away from any kind of work. Among other
tasks he was also procurator and administrator for the community. During this
time his mother died. Since her other sons had died during the plague, she
bequeathed her estate to the Bamabites, and with the permission of the
Superiors, she left a large amount of money to Bartholomew to visit the most
famous shrines in Italy. Fr. Canale started his journey in 1659 together with
Fr. Melchior Bonetti. Due to many difficulties and the presence of bandits, it
was not always a most pleasant trip. With the help of Divine Providence they
visited Genoa, Pisa, Florence, Rome, Arpino, and Naples. On the day they
returned to Monza they met at the door Brother Caffesi who was about to leave
the monastery. Fr. Canale told him: "Go back, put on the religious habit,
since God has called you to his service." The Brother obeyed and he had a
long and holy life in our Order.
However, this peaceful solitude was not the plan of God, as
he was right away elected master of the scholastics. He did a marvelous job
and, according to Fr. Mondrone, he had the gift of introspection. His spiritual
leadership brought the community to regular observance and eventually Fr.
Canales selection as Superior.
At that time a famine was devastating that region. One day
the Procurator ran to Fr. Canale in desperation since there was no more food.
Fr. Canale invited him to pray and to trust in Divine Providence. The next day
an anonymous supply of food was delivered sufficient for a whole year. A novice,
Paul Carminati, was afflicted with TB and close to death. Through the
intercession of Fr. Canale' s prayers and faith he was restored to health.
Father himself became very sick and asked for the anointing. As soon as he
was anointed he was healed. According to his own testimony he saw the Blessed
Mother who assured him of his healing.
After five years he was elected Superior of the novitiate in Monza. Unfortunately his health was not that good and after three years he had to be removed. Fr. Canale then retired in his room, called his desert, to pray and meditate. It was during this period that he wrote his spiritual books to be translated in many languages.
After five years he was elected Superior of the novitiate in Monza. Unfortunately his health was not that good and after three years he had to be removed. Fr. Canale then retired in his room, called his desert, to pray and meditate. It was during this period that he wrote his spiritual books to be translated in many languages.
The Lord used him for many marvelous things, such as the
recovery of the Superior, Fr. Rescalli, unable to go to Rome for the General
Chapter because of an illness.
Fr. Canale died in the Lord at the age of 76. The funeral
was a big triumph. His tomb immediately became a point for pilgrimages and a
source of graces. The cause of beatification was introduced immediately in
1862, and on August 27, 1893 the heroic of his virtues was declared by the
Hole See making him officially a Venerable.
