During the Synod, the Pope will canonise a young worker considered the protector of the disabled

The canonisation ceremony will be held on 14 October. Paul VI – who beatified the young worker on 1 December 1963 during the Council - and Mgr Romero will be canonised on the same day, as will Fr Francesco Spinelli, founder of the Institute of the Adorers Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament; Fr Vincenzo Romano, and Sister Maria Caterina Kasper, foundress of the Institute of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – A model for young people is going to be proclaimed saint on 14 October, during the Youth Synod. Nunzio Sulprizio, a young worker who loved Jesus deeply, died in 1836 at the age of 19, and is considered the protector of the disabled and the victims of workplace accidents.

Pope Francis made the announcement during the consistory this morning. Paul VI – who beatified the young worker on 1 December 1963 during the Council - and Mgr Oscar Romero will also be proclaimed saints along with the young man, as will Fr Francesco Spinelli, founder of the Institute of the Adorers Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament; Fr Vincenzo Romano; and Sister Maria Caterina Kasper, foundress of the Institute of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.

Born on 13 April 1817 in Pescosansonesco, Pescara Province (Italy), he lost both parents when he was still a child. After the death of his maternal grandmother, when he was just nine, he was taken in by an uncle who removed him from school and put him to work in his blacksmith shop.

As a result of overwork at such a tender age he got sick. With gangrene on one leg, he offered his terrible pain to God. “Jesus’” he said, “suffered so much for us and by his merits we await eternal life. If we suffer a little bit, we will taste the joy of paradise.”

After a period in which his health seemed to improve, he was diagnosed with bone cancer at the end of 1835. On 5 May 1836, he asked for a crucifix and to say his confession. He told the priest: "Be happy, from Heaven I will always help you". He died on that day; he had just turned 19.

On 9 July 1859, Pope Pius IX, declared him "heroic in his virtues" and therefore "venerable". The shrine at Pescosansonesco, which preserves part of his relics, is a destination for numerous pilgrimages. A wall of the shrine is full of crutches from kids who left them thanks to Nunzio’s intercession.

• vatican
• pope francis
• canonisation
• nunzio sulprizio
• worker
• youth synod
• paul vi
• oscar romero