Filippo Smaldone Saint

Saint Filippo Smaldone (July 27, 1848 – June 4, 1923) is a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. He founded the Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Hearts and is known for his work with the deaf.Born in Naples, he was ordained a priest in 1871 and during his time in the seminary he began efforts to help the deaf of his native city. He also did work with the sick and nearly died of a plague. He credited his survival to Our Lady of Pompeii. In 1885 he founded an institution for the deaf at Lecce. He went on to work with the blind as well and also orphans before dying at 75 from diabetes related complications.He was beatified in 1996 by John Paul II'>Pope John Paul II and canonized on October 15, 2006, by Pope Benedict XVI.