In the winter of 1940, Orione started to suffer serious cardiac and pulmonary ailments.
He went to Sanremo to recuperate, but not without a tinge of regret.
On March 8, 1940, on the eve of his departure for Sanremo, Don Orione is recorded as saying, "It is not among the palm trees that I would like to die," he said, "but amongst the poor who are Jesus Christ."
Four days later, surrounded by fellow priests of his Orionine order, Luigi Orione died.
His last words were, "Jesus, Jesus!
Jesus!
I am going..." Now he is the Patron Saint of the Abandoned.
In the winter of 1940, Orione started to suffer serious cardiac and pulmonary ailments. He went to Sanremo to recuperate, but not without a tinge of regret. On March 8, 1940, on the eve of his departure for Sanremo, Don Orione is recorded as saying, "It is not among the palm trees that I would like to die," he said, "but amongst the poor who are Jesus Christ." Four days later, surrounded by fellow priests of his Orionine order, Luigi Orione died. His last words were, "Jesus, Jesus! Jesus! I am going..." Now he is the Patron Saint of the Abandoned.
Luigi Orione