Gennaro Sarnelli was born in Naples, Italy, in 1702. The son of a baron, he became a doctor of canon and civil law at the age of 20. While doing volunteer work, caring for the sick, he felt called to the priesthood. At this time he also met and became friends with Alphonsus Liguori.
Ordained a priest in in 1732, Sarnelli dedicated himself especially to the catechesis of the young and to rehabilitation of girls at risk of becoming prostitutes. In June 1733 he joined the Redemptorists, shoring up St. Alphonsus’ shaky young missionary institute and helping it develop into a flourishing community. In 1736 he retuned to Naples and devoted himself to care of the city’s most abandoned. He died in 1744 and was beatified in 1996.
For more information
For more information on Blessed Sarnelli, check out A Life of Blessed Gennaro Maria Sarnelli: Redemptorist by Francesco Chiovaro, CSsR.