He was born in Moncalieri, the eldest of ten children, three of whom died in infancy and three became priests, including Luigi Boccardo who, in turn, was beatified.
He studied at home, beginning to help the poor of the country and, in particular, taking care of a blind beggar. After the unification of Italy, in 1861, he attended the gymnasium of the fathers Barnabas, and ended the school he entered the seminary. During this period assiduously sought the “sanctity”, thinking that it is clear from his writings (he drew something like 44 volumes, which is still almost completely unknown, containing thoughts and ideas of life).
On June 3, 1871, John was ordained a priest in Turin by Msgr. Balma. In 1873 he became spiritual director of the seminary of Chieri, where he entered as an assistant a few months after his ordination as priest.
In Turin, Giovanni and Luigi maintained a friendship with the great saints of the time: John Bosco, Murialdo, Joseph Allamano.
Go here to read the rest.
