User:Waldo187/David Maria Turoldo

Padre David Maria Turoldo was an Italian Presbyter of the Congregation of the Serviti. He was also a famous Poet.

Born in Coderno, Udine, on November 22, 1916 and he joined the Order of the Servants of Mary, founded in 1233 at Florence by the Seven Founders, at the early age of 13. He was ordained a Presbyter in 1940 and obtained a Degree in Philosophy from the Catholic University of the Sacro Cuore of Milan in 1946.

During the Nazi Occupation of Italy, Friar David formed part of the Resistance, founding in Milan a clandestine periodical, named "L'Uomo" and later co-founded together with Friar Camillo De Piaz the famous review "Corsia dei Servi".

His poetry made him famous in all communication fields and was asked to preach among others at the Duomo of Milan. He supported the late Don Zeno Saltini (1900 – 1981), in his project, the foundation of Nomadelfia's Community. Several writings of his were collected and published through numerous editions.

Turoldo was furthermore a Cantor of the Holy Bible, esteemed among others by the famous Msgr. Gianfranco Ravasi, a famous Biblical Scholar and Priest of the Archdiocese of Milan. He was asked to leave Italy on direction of the Holy Office, and lived within Houses of his Congregation in Austria, Bavaria, Great Britain, Canada and the United States of America. Following his repatriation to Italy, he worked close to the Servant of God, Giorgio La Pira (1904 – 1977), Former Mayor of Florence.

He died at the Convent of San Carlo in Milan on February 6, 1992 aged 75.

Socially and politically engaged, he believed that "Resistance is always actual". His political and social commitment was characterized by a deep humanity; he was determined and hard sometimes. Often his stances created considerable embarrassment in some Catholic circles. He was inside Catholic church but critical of it.

References: from Wikipedia in Italian dossetti.com visto 28 luglio 2009 giovaniemissione.it visto 28 luglio 2009 Corriere.it "E padre Turoldo nascose le armi dei partigiani" consultato 28 luglio 2009