At the age of ninety eight, Italian Franciscan Capuchin Friar Venanzio Renier, celebrated the 75th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, which is truly an unusual and extraordinary goal to reach in the ecclesiastical world.
Born to Vincenzo Renier and Rosa Perini at Chioggia near Venice, Italy, on May 11, 1909, Padre Venanzio came from a family of fishermen. He was the seventh of nine children born to the named couple, six of whom died in childbirth. At a very young age, he was very close to death too due to malaria - his mother vowed to Saint Anthony of Padua that should he live she'd vest him with a Franciscan tunic for a year. Edoardo - the name given to him prior entering religious life - healed and his mother kept her promise.
During his teenage years he frequented the Oratory of Saint Filippo Neri at Chioggia which was at the time under the care of the Servant of God Padre Raimondo Calcagno (1888 - 1964). At the tender age of nine, Edoardo joined the Franciscan Capuchin Order and after spending five years studying at Rovigo and Verona, he received the Franciscan habit and the religious name of Fra Venanzio da Chioggia. Following other studies in Padua and Venice, on December 19, 1931, Padre Venanzio was ordained a presbyter by the Servant of God Cardinal Pietro La Fontaine (1860 - 1935), Patriarch of Venice.
Following his priesthood ordination, P. Venanzio was sent to Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University where he pursued further studies in sacred theology. At the end of his studies, he was named as lecturer in theology at the Capuchin convent of the Holy Redeemer at Giudecca, a position he held from 1936 till 1966. Apart from the named convent, he also taught the same subject at the Patriarchal Seminary of Venice. Along the years, Renier taught also canon law, Biblical Greek, Sacred Scripture and Hebrew.
In the sixties, Friar Venanzio was transferred to the Marriage Ecclesiastical Tribunal where he served as difensor vinculi and later judge. From 1972 till 1977, he also served as president of the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of Venice, having at the time direct contact with the Patriarch of Venice, Cardinal Albino Luciani (1912 - 1978), future Vicar of Christ and Servant of God.
Padre Venanzio spent nearly his entire life with Saints and Servants of God. Apart from the ones mentioned, that is Cardinal Pietro La Fontaine, P. Raimondo Calcagno, Oratorian, and Pope John Paul I he was also close to Blessed Padre Enrico da Varsavia OFM. Cap., who faced death at the Concentration Camp of Dachau in 1942, and Padre Santiago da Roffebual OFM. Cap., a martyr of the Spanish Civil War. The latter two were both fellow students at the University with Padre Venanzio while studying for the priesthood.
Renier also came to know among others Padre Giacomo Filon da Balduina OFM. Cap., - who died unexpectedly while on pilgrimage in Lourdes in 1948, and whose beatification process was opened in 1984 - and to Padre Leopoldo Mandic OFM. Cap., better known as the Apostle of Unity or of Reconciliation, Padre Leopoldo died after being diagnosed with esophagus cancer on July 30, 1942. On that day while he was vesting for liturgy he collapsed on the sacristy floor and was brought to his cell where he was anointed. Friars gathered at his cell and began to pray the "Salve Regina" with Leopoldo. When they got to the words, "O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary," Padre Leopoldo died. He was 76 years old, 60 of which were spent as a Capuchin and 52 as a priest.
Leopoldo's cell and confessional were spared the bombing of Second World War, even though the church and part of the friary were demolished. Leopoldo had predicted it, "The church and the friary will be hit by the bombs, but not this little cell. Here God exercised so much mercy for people, it must remain as a monument to God's goodness." Pope Paul VI beatified Padre Leopoldo on May 2, 1976. He was later canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 16, 1983, during the Synod of Bishops considering the theme of reconciliation.
Padre Venanzio Renier lived for four years in the same convent of Saint Leopoldo Mandic. Along the years he also came to know future Saint Pio of Pietrelcina OFM. Cap., and Pope John Paul II, nowadays also a candidate for canonization. Renier was also among others one of the spiritual directors of the Catholic Action in Venice for twelve years and for over thirty years assigned with the duty of vice-postulator for the canonization of Padre Marco d'Aviano OFM. Cap., (1631 - 1699). His hard work finally proceeded to his beatification by Pope John Paul II on April 27, 2003. He lately published a book regarding the same Blessed named "Marco d'Aviano e Innocenzo XI in difesa della Cristianita'."
Padre Venanzio Renier celebrated his 75th priesthood ordination at Pordenone – where he resided during his later years - on Tuesday, December 19, 2006. On December 26, of the same year a diocesan priest from the Diocese of Chioggia, Venice - Don Mosè Lionello celebrated his one hundredth birthday.
In a recent interview Padre Venanzio said: "I lived my entire life with saints. Since I was a boy I desired to become a saint. I used to read the lives of people who died a saintly death in odour of sanctity. However I have reached my nineties but I'm still not a Saint." Well perhaps a Saint not, but a model for presbyters, he sure was.
On Sunday, May 25, 2008, whilst preparing to deliver an homily, Friar Venanzio suffered a fall, which resulted in the breaking of a femur. Recovered at the Hospital of Conegliano, he successively underwent surgery and joined once again his fraternity. However, on Tuesday, June 17, his heart stopped its beating unexpectedly at 1 am., and Friar Venanzio passed peacefully away at the most venerable age of 99, inside his cell of the named Capuchin convent of Conegliano.
His funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, June 18, at 15.30 pm., inside the parish church of Aviano, the locality of which he had been previously named as an honorary citizen. Interment took place inside the local cemetery, where his vault had been erected years before, in the area destined to hold the remains of illustrious figures of the community of Aviano.
Born to Vincenzo Renier and Rosa Perini at Chioggia near Venice, Italy, on May 11, 1909, Padre Venanzio came from a family of fishermen. He was the seventh of nine children born to the named couple, six of whom died in childbirth. At a very young age, he was very close to death too due to malaria - his mother vowed to Saint Anthony of Padua that should he live she'd vest him with a Franciscan tunic for a year. Edoardo - the name given to him prior entering religious life - healed and his mother kept her promise.
During his teenage years he frequented the Oratory of Saint Filippo Neri at Chioggia which was at the time under the care of the Servant of God Padre Raimondo Calcagno (1888 - 1964). At the tender age of nine, Edoardo joined the Franciscan Capuchin Order and after spending five years studying at Rovigo and Verona, he received the Franciscan habit and the religious name of Fra Venanzio da Chioggia. Following other studies in Padua and Venice, on December 19, 1931, Padre Venanzio was ordained a presbyter by the Servant of God Cardinal Pietro La Fontaine (1860 - 1935), Patriarch of Venice.
Following his priesthood ordination, P. Venanzio was sent to Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University where he pursued further studies in sacred theology. At the end of his studies, he was named as lecturer in theology at the Capuchin convent of the Holy Redeemer at Giudecca, a position he held from 1936 till 1966. Apart from the named convent, he also taught the same subject at the Patriarchal Seminary of Venice. Along the years, Renier taught also canon law, Biblical Greek, Sacred Scripture and Hebrew.
In the sixties, Friar Venanzio was transferred to the Marriage Ecclesiastical Tribunal where he served as difensor vinculi and later judge. From 1972 till 1977, he also served as president of the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of Venice, having at the time direct contact with the Patriarch of Venice, Cardinal Albino Luciani (1912 - 1978), future Vicar of Christ and Servant of God.
Padre Venanzio spent nearly his entire life with Saints and Servants of God. Apart from the ones mentioned, that is Cardinal Pietro La Fontaine, P. Raimondo Calcagno, Oratorian, and Pope John Paul I he was also close to Blessed Padre Enrico da Varsavia OFM. Cap., who faced death at the Concentration Camp of Dachau in 1942, and Padre Santiago da Roffebual OFM. Cap., a martyr of the Spanish Civil War. The latter two were both fellow students at the University with Padre Venanzio while studying for the priesthood.
Renier also came to know among others Padre Giacomo Filon da Balduina OFM. Cap., - who died unexpectedly while on pilgrimage in Lourdes in 1948, and whose beatification process was opened in 1984 - and to Padre Leopoldo Mandic OFM. Cap., better known as the Apostle of Unity or of Reconciliation, Padre Leopoldo died after being diagnosed with esophagus cancer on July 30, 1942. On that day while he was vesting for liturgy he collapsed on the sacristy floor and was brought to his cell where he was anointed. Friars gathered at his cell and began to pray the "Salve Regina" with Leopoldo. When they got to the words, "O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary," Padre Leopoldo died. He was 76 years old, 60 of which were spent as a Capuchin and 52 as a priest.
Leopoldo's cell and confessional were spared the bombing of Second World War, even though the church and part of the friary were demolished. Leopoldo had predicted it, "The church and the friary will be hit by the bombs, but not this little cell. Here God exercised so much mercy for people, it must remain as a monument to God's goodness." Pope Paul VI beatified Padre Leopoldo on May 2, 1976. He was later canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 16, 1983, during the Synod of Bishops considering the theme of reconciliation.
Padre Venanzio Renier lived for four years in the same convent of Saint Leopoldo Mandic. Along the years he also came to know future Saint Pio of Pietrelcina OFM. Cap., and Pope John Paul II, nowadays also a candidate for canonization. Renier was also among others one of the spiritual directors of the Catholic Action in Venice for twelve years and for over thirty years assigned with the duty of vice-postulator for the canonization of Padre Marco d'Aviano OFM. Cap., (1631 - 1699). His hard work finally proceeded to his beatification by Pope John Paul II on April 27, 2003. He lately published a book regarding the same Blessed named "Marco d'Aviano e Innocenzo XI in difesa della Cristianita'."
Padre Venanzio Renier celebrated his 75th priesthood ordination at Pordenone – where he resided during his later years - on Tuesday, December 19, 2006. On December 26, of the same year a diocesan priest from the Diocese of Chioggia, Venice - Don Mosè Lionello celebrated his one hundredth birthday.
In a recent interview Padre Venanzio said: "I lived my entire life with saints. Since I was a boy I desired to become a saint. I used to read the lives of people who died a saintly death in odour of sanctity. However I have reached my nineties but I'm still not a Saint." Well perhaps a Saint not, but a model for presbyters, he sure was.
On Sunday, May 25, 2008, whilst preparing to deliver an homily, Friar Venanzio suffered a fall, which resulted in the breaking of a femur. Recovered at the Hospital of Conegliano, he successively underwent surgery and joined once again his fraternity. However, on Tuesday, June 17, his heart stopped its beating unexpectedly at 1 am., and Friar Venanzio passed peacefully away at the most venerable age of 99, inside his cell of the named Capuchin convent of Conegliano.
His funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, June 18, at 15.30 pm., inside the parish church of Aviano, the locality of which he had been previously named as an honorary citizen. Interment took place inside the local cemetery, where his vault had been erected years before, in the area destined to hold the remains of illustrious figures of the community of Aviano.
At the age of ninety eight, Italian Franciscan Capuchin Friar Venanzio Renier, celebrated the 75th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, which is truly an unusual and extraordinary goal to reach in the ecclesiastical world.
Born to Vincenzo Renier and Rosa Perini at Chioggia near Venice, Italy, on May 11, 1909, Padre Venanzio came from a family of fishermen. He was the seventh of nine children born to the named couple, six of whom died in childbirth. At a very young age, he was very close to death too due to malaria - his mother vowed to Saint Anthony of Padua that should he live she'd vest him with a Franciscan tunic for a year. Edoardo - the name given to him prior entering religious life - healed and his mother kept her promise.
During his teenage years he frequented the Oratory of Saint Filippo Neri at Chioggia which was at the time under the care of the Servant of God Padre Raimondo Calcagno (1888 - 1964). At the tender age of nine, Edoardo joined the Franciscan Capuchin Order and after spending five years studying at Rovigo and Verona, he received the Franciscan habit and the religious name of Fra Venanzio da Chioggia. Following other studies in Padua and Venice, on December 19, 1931, Padre Venanzio was ordained a presbyter by the Servant of God Cardinal Pietro La Fontaine (1860 - 1935), Patriarch of Venice.
Following his priesthood ordination, P. Venanzio was sent to Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University where he pursued further studies in sacred theology. At the end of his studies, he was named as lecturer in theology at the Capuchin convent of the Holy Redeemer at Giudecca, a position he held from 1936 till 1966. Apart from the named convent, he also taught the same subject at the Patriarchal Seminary of Venice. Along the years, Renier taught also canon law, Biblical Greek, Sacred Scripture and Hebrew.
In the sixties, Friar Venanzio was transferred to the Marriage Ecclesiastical Tribunal where he served as difensor vinculi and later judge. From 1972 till 1977, he also served as president of the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of Venice, having at the time direct contact with the Patriarch of Venice, Cardinal Albino Luciani (1912 - 1978), future Vicar of Christ and Servant of God.
Padre Venanzio spent nearly his entire life with Saints and Servants of God. Apart from the ones mentioned, that is Cardinal Pietro La Fontaine, P. Raimondo Calcagno, Oratorian, and Pope John Paul I he was also close to Blessed Padre Enrico da Varsavia OFM. Cap., who faced death at the Concentration Camp of Dachau in 1942, and Padre Santiago da Roffebual OFM. Cap., a martyr of the Spanish Civil War. The latter two were both fellow students at the University with Padre Venanzio while studying for the priesthood.
Renier also came to know among others Padre Giacomo Filon da Balduina OFM. Cap., - who died unexpectedly while on pilgrimage in Lourdes in 1948, and whose beatification process was opened in 1984 - and to Padre Leopoldo Mandic OFM. Cap., better known as the Apostle of Unity or of Reconciliation, Padre Leopoldo died after being diagnosed with esophagus cancer on July 30, 1942. On that day while he was vesting for liturgy he collapsed on the sacristy floor and was brought to his cell where he was anointed. Friars gathered at his cell and began to pray the "Salve Regina" with Leopoldo. When they got to the words, "O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary," Padre Leopoldo died. He was 76 years old, 60 of which were spent as a Capuchin and 52 as a priest.
Leopoldo's cell and confessional were spared the bombing of Second World War, even though the church and part of the friary were demolished. Leopoldo had predicted it, "The church and the friary will be hit by the bombs, but not this little cell. Here God exercised so much mercy for people, it must remain as a monument to God's goodness." Pope Paul VI beatified Padre Leopoldo on May 2, 1976. He was later canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 16, 1983, during the Synod of Bishops considering the theme of reconciliation.
Padre Venanzio Renier lived for four years in the same convent of Saint Leopoldo Mandic. Along the years he also came to know future Saint Pio of Pietrelcina OFM. Cap., and Pope John Paul II, nowadays also a candidate for canonization. Renier was also among others one of the spiritual directors of the Catholic Action in Venice for twelve years and for over thirty years assigned with the duty of vice-postulator for the canonization of Padre Marco d'Aviano OFM. Cap., (1631 - 1699). His hard work finally proceeded to his beatification by Pope John Paul II on April 27, 2003. He lately published a book regarding the same Blessed named "Marco d'Aviano e Innocenzo XI in difesa della Cristianita'."
Padre Venanzio Renier celebrated his 75th priesthood ordination at Pordenone – where he resided during his later years - on Tuesday, December 19, 2006. On December 26, of the same year a diocesan priest from the Diocese of Chioggia, Venice - Don Mosè Lionello celebrated his one hundredth birthday.
In a recent interview Padre Venanzio said: "I lived my entire life with saints. Since I was a boy I desired to become a saint. I used to read the lives of people who died a saintly death in odour of sanctity. However I have reached my nineties but I'm still not a Saint." Well perhaps a Saint not, but a model for presbyters, he sure was.
On Sunday, May 25, 2008, whilst preparing to deliver an homily, Friar Venanzio suffered a fall, which resulted in the breaking of a femur. Recovered at the Hospital of Conegliano, he successively underwent surgery and joined once again his fraternity. However, on Tuesday, June 17, his heart stopped its beating unexpectedly at 1 am., and Friar Venanzio passed peacefully away at the most venerable age of 99, inside his cell of the named Capuchin convent of Conegliano.
His funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, June 18, at 15.30 pm., inside the parish church of Aviano, the locality of which he had been previously named as an honorary citizen. Interment took place inside the local cemetery, where his vault had been erected years before, in the area destined to hold the remains of illustrious figures of the community of Aviano.
Born to Vincenzo Renier and Rosa Perini at Chioggia near Venice, Italy, on May 11, 1909, Padre Venanzio came from a family of fishermen. He was the seventh of nine children born to the named couple, six of whom died in childbirth. At a very young age, he was very close to death too due to malaria - his mother vowed to Saint Anthony of Padua that should he live she'd vest him with a Franciscan tunic for a year. Edoardo - the name given to him prior entering religious life - healed and his mother kept her promise.
During his teenage years he frequented the Oratory of Saint Filippo Neri at Chioggia which was at the time under the care of the Servant of God Padre Raimondo Calcagno (1888 - 1964). At the tender age of nine, Edoardo joined the Franciscan Capuchin Order and after spending five years studying at Rovigo and Verona, he received the Franciscan habit and the religious name of Fra Venanzio da Chioggia. Following other studies in Padua and Venice, on December 19, 1931, Padre Venanzio was ordained a presbyter by the Servant of God Cardinal Pietro La Fontaine (1860 - 1935), Patriarch of Venice.
Following his priesthood ordination, P. Venanzio was sent to Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University where he pursued further studies in sacred theology. At the end of his studies, he was named as lecturer in theology at the Capuchin convent of the Holy Redeemer at Giudecca, a position he held from 1936 till 1966. Apart from the named convent, he also taught the same subject at the Patriarchal Seminary of Venice. Along the years, Renier taught also canon law, Biblical Greek, Sacred Scripture and Hebrew.
In the sixties, Friar Venanzio was transferred to the Marriage Ecclesiastical Tribunal where he served as difensor vinculi and later judge. From 1972 till 1977, he also served as president of the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of Venice, having at the time direct contact with the Patriarch of Venice, Cardinal Albino Luciani (1912 - 1978), future Vicar of Christ and Servant of God.
Padre Venanzio spent nearly his entire life with Saints and Servants of God. Apart from the ones mentioned, that is Cardinal Pietro La Fontaine, P. Raimondo Calcagno, Oratorian, and Pope John Paul I he was also close to Blessed Padre Enrico da Varsavia OFM. Cap., who faced death at the Concentration Camp of Dachau in 1942, and Padre Santiago da Roffebual OFM. Cap., a martyr of the Spanish Civil War. The latter two were both fellow students at the University with Padre Venanzio while studying for the priesthood.
Renier also came to know among others Padre Giacomo Filon da Balduina OFM. Cap., - who died unexpectedly while on pilgrimage in Lourdes in 1948, and whose beatification process was opened in 1984 - and to Padre Leopoldo Mandic OFM. Cap., better known as the Apostle of Unity or of Reconciliation, Padre Leopoldo died after being diagnosed with esophagus cancer on July 30, 1942. On that day while he was vesting for liturgy he collapsed on the sacristy floor and was brought to his cell where he was anointed. Friars gathered at his cell and began to pray the "Salve Regina" with Leopoldo. When they got to the words, "O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary," Padre Leopoldo died. He was 76 years old, 60 of which were spent as a Capuchin and 52 as a priest.
Leopoldo's cell and confessional were spared the bombing of Second World War, even though the church and part of the friary were demolished. Leopoldo had predicted it, "The church and the friary will be hit by the bombs, but not this little cell. Here God exercised so much mercy for people, it must remain as a monument to God's goodness." Pope Paul VI beatified Padre Leopoldo on May 2, 1976. He was later canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 16, 1983, during the Synod of Bishops considering the theme of reconciliation.
Padre Venanzio Renier lived for four years in the same convent of Saint Leopoldo Mandic. Along the years he also came to know future Saint Pio of Pietrelcina OFM. Cap., and Pope John Paul II, nowadays also a candidate for canonization. Renier was also among others one of the spiritual directors of the Catholic Action in Venice for twelve years and for over thirty years assigned with the duty of vice-postulator for the canonization of Padre Marco d'Aviano OFM. Cap., (1631 - 1699). His hard work finally proceeded to his beatification by Pope John Paul II on April 27, 2003. He lately published a book regarding the same Blessed named "Marco d'Aviano e Innocenzo XI in difesa della Cristianita'."
Padre Venanzio Renier celebrated his 75th priesthood ordination at Pordenone – where he resided during his later years - on Tuesday, December 19, 2006. On December 26, of the same year a diocesan priest from the Diocese of Chioggia, Venice - Don Mosè Lionello celebrated his one hundredth birthday.
In a recent interview Padre Venanzio said: "I lived my entire life with saints. Since I was a boy I desired to become a saint. I used to read the lives of people who died a saintly death in odour of sanctity. However I have reached my nineties but I'm still not a Saint." Well perhaps a Saint not, but a model for presbyters, he sure was.
On Sunday, May 25, 2008, whilst preparing to deliver an homily, Friar Venanzio suffered a fall, which resulted in the breaking of a femur. Recovered at the Hospital of Conegliano, he successively underwent surgery and joined once again his fraternity. However, on Tuesday, June 17, his heart stopped its beating unexpectedly at 1 am., and Friar Venanzio passed peacefully away at the most venerable age of 99, inside his cell of the named Capuchin convent of Conegliano.
His funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, June 18, at 15.30 pm., inside the parish church of Aviano, the locality of which he had been previously named as an honorary citizen. Interment took place inside the local cemetery, where his vault had been erected years before, in the area destined to hold the remains of illustrious figures of the community of Aviano.
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