CONNECTIONS

 Once again we find a connection between saints.

VENERABLE ANDREA BELTRAMI was born in Omegna, in the province of Novara in 1870. In his family, he received a lasting education in Christian values. Andrew, with his lively character, was tempted in his virtue during adolescence by a bad companion, but his frequent reception of the sacraments, together with his firm will, made him held in high esteem with any people.

His parents wanted to enroll him at the Salesian College at Lanzo, where he entered in October 1883. He distinguished himself in his studies and his vocation matured during this time. Later he would say: “The Lord set an intimate conviction in my heart, that the only way forward for me was to be a Salesian.”

His mother, entrusting him to the Novice Master, said: “Make him a saint.” In 1886, he received the clerical habit at Foglizzo from (St.) Don Bosco, who said of him: “There is only one Beltrami.” In the two years (1888-1889) he spent in Turin-Valsalice, he completed two three-year subjects.

During this time, he came to know the Polish  (Bl.) Prince Augustus Czartoryski, who had recently entered the Congregation, but soon became ill with tuberculosis. It would be Fr. Beltrami, who quickly became his spiritual friend, who would be his guardian angel at Valsalice and in those places where he was in convalescence. He wrote: “I am aware that I have been looking after a saint, an angel.” Later, Fr. Andrew himself took ill.

 He offered himself as a victim of love for the conversion of sinners and for the consolation of those who suffered, living out his motto: “Neither recovery nor death, but live to suffer.” Fr. Beltrami fully accepted the sacrificial dimension of the Salesian charisma, as desired by its founder, Don Bosco.

Ordained priest by Bishop Cagliero, he gave himself to contemplation and the apostolate of the pen. His very strong desire for holiness took over his whole existence including the pain and ceaseless work. He was exact in his observance of the Rule, and had a burning love for Don Bosco and the Congregation.

In the four years of life that were his after his ordination, he continued praying and writing ascetic books, devoting himself to hagiography,  biographies of saints and volumes of pleasant and educational readings. 

 When he died on December 30, 1897, he was 27 years of age. He was declared Venerable on December 5, 1966.