Richard Pampuri was born in 1897 in Italy to a family with 11 children. When he was 3 years old his mother died and when he was only 10 years old his father passed way. He grew up under the care of his aunt. As a young boy he wanted to become a missionary priest, but was convinced not to by many people because of delicate health. He decided to help people in another way and studied to become a doctor. While in university he lived his faith fully and was part of Catholic Action, St Vincent de Paul Society and even became a 3rd order Franciscan. From 1915 – 1920 he fought in WWI, and served in the Medical Corps. He opened up his own medical practice when he was only 26 years old and was a great support for the parish in town. He also started a Catholic youth club and band in the parish. In 1927 Richard decided to join a religious order where he could follow the way of evangelical holiness more closely and at the same time to be able to carry on his medical profession so as to alleviate the suffering of his neighbor. When he was 30 years old he joined the Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God in Milan. He was then appointed director of a dental clinic where he untiringly gave himself fully to serving the poor and needy with such wonderful charity that he was admired by all. Richard suffered an outbreak of pleurisy, which turned into bronco-pneumonia. He died when he was only 33 years old , leaving behind the memory of a doctor who knew how to transform his own profession into a mission of charity. After his death, his reputation of sanctity spread. He was canonized by John Paul II in 1989.
