THE YOUNG PASTOR

I was born on September 24, 1813, in a place where Shakespeare’s classical self-written work Romeo
and Juliet was made and the place where Juliet’s House was located. Well this little city was called
Verona located in the midst of Italy. I am the oldest son of Antonio Agostini, a physician, and Angela
Frattini. My father, Antonio Agostini, died before I even reached the age of one. So my mother,
Angela Frattini, claimed the responsibility that she is the one who would take care for me ang my
brothers.

Besides of being with my mother, I also spent my childhood with my paternal grandparents in
Terrossa, which is also located near Verona, where I learned to read and write.

I commenced my studies for the priesthood at the age of eighteen. One of my teacher during my year
was Venerable Nicola Mazza, who was dedicated to both evangelization and equal access to a good
education. I received my ordination on March 11, 1837 by the Bishop of Verona Giuseppe Grasser.

I was appointed in 1845 as the pastor of the parish of Santi Nazario e Celso and took possession of
that parish upon my entrance on the 29th of June 1845. I’ve been there as a parish priest since 1837
but I was elevated as its pastor.

I established a range of after-school care programs for girls and also catered for women’s religious
instruction at my parish. In 1852, I tried to open a centre of adolescents under the care of the
Canossians but it didn’t quite work so I tried to look into female oratories as a possible alternative. I
also instilled devotion to Saint Angela Merici among my female parishioners and I even established a
religious congregation devoted to her.

On the 2nd of November 1856, I opened my first school for the poor girls. In 1860 some of the workers
at my school wanted to form a religious congregation under my direction so I prepared a rule for
them. It resulted in twelve females being professed on 24th of September 1869 leading to the
establishment of my Ursuline religious institute, which is founded by Angela Marici, on 18th of
November 1869.

God took my life at the age 83, April 6, 1896, by natural causes. My order received Diocesan approval
from Giordano Corsini on 24th of June 1923. I was venerated by Pope John Paul II on the 22 nd of
January 1991 and was also Beatified by Him on the 25th of October 1998.

Until now, I am still known as the one who established The Pious Union of Sisters Devoted to Saint
Angela Marici and the Ursuline Sisters of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate at Verona, Italy.

If you’re still wondering who am I, well I’m the one and only Zefirino Agostini, The Young Pastor.

Submitted By: Jeleina Kristin A. De los Santos and James Paolo Caugiran