João Pedro de Sexto São João

A statue of João Pedro de Sexto São João.

Friar João Pedro de Sexto São João (September 9, 1868 – December 5, 1913) was an Italian missionary to Brazil. He is declared venerable. He founded the Congregation of the Capuchin Missionary Sisters.

Biography

He was born on September 9, 1868, as Clemente Recalcati. He was baptized on the same day, in the Mother Church of Sesto San Giovanni. He was confirmed in the same parish on September 10, 1877, administered by the Archbishop of Milan.

Childhood

The childhood of the venerable Friar João Pedro was one of pious Catholic practice. Despite being a family of modest status, the poor man who presented himself in front of the Recalcati house left without being welcomed and without receiving help. Such feelings were engraved in John's memory.

The missionary ideal

Being a missionary has always been a desire of his, since childhood. Already ordained a priest and teacher in Sóvere, he learned that the Province had taken on a Mission in the northeast of Brazil, with the commitment to open another missionary front among the Amerindians of the Amazon, a plan formulated by the General Directory of the Order with the approval of the Holy See, on January 12, 1892. On December 3, 1894, Friar João Pedro de Sexto and seven other friars arrived. Friar João Pedro was assigned to the Carmo convent, in São Luís, along with Friar Estevão, Friar Davi and Friar Mansueto. The other missionaries, two by two, headed for the interior of Maranhão, traveling by boat along the Maracaçumé and Itapecuru rivers, occupying themselves with the task of preaching missions to the people.

See more

• List of venerated Brazilian Catholics