About Nino Baglieri:
Antonio Baglieri was born in Modica, Sicily in 1951. In his youth, he worked as a bricklayer until, on May 6, 1968, (the feast of Saint Dominic Savio) at the age of 17, he fell from a scaffold and became completely paralyzed. He was only able to move his head and spent many dark years full of bitterness.
It was suggested to his mother that she have her son euthanized with “a simple injection” to end his suffering, but she responded: “As long as I live I will take care of him.” Today we often hear the cry to end a life…whether in the womb or already born. Fortunately, this woman did not go along with the suggestion.
On Good Friday 1978, some members of a group called Renewal in the Spirit came to his house to pray for him. As he felt a warmth flooding his body, ”a new force entered me and something old came out. I accepted my cross and said Yes to the Lord,” he said, knowing that there would be no physical healing but rather a spiritual one. Baglieri then began a process of conversion, accepting his cross and reading the Bible.
He learned to write using his mouth to hold his pen and began to write his memoirs as well as letters that he sent to people in various parts of the world.
“Thanks to a stick, he dials telephone numbers and comes into direct contact with many sick people, and his calm and convincing words console them,” the Salesians related.
Nino joined the Salesian Cooperators but then decided to be part of the Volunteers with Don Bosco: consecrated laymen who profess vows of obedience, poverty and chastity, living their Salesian mission in their homes, work and the everyday things of this world.
Baglieri was characterized by proclaiming with his life testimony joy and hope in the Lord. After suffering for a long time, which he bore with a smile, he died on March 2, 2007.
According to his wish, he was buried wearing sneakers because, as he said: “On my last journey to God I will be able to run to him.”
Click here for his life story in greater detail. And click here for a short video from EWTN.
Cause for Beatification of Servant of God Nino Baglieri:
Editor’s Note: Once a cause for Beatification has begun, the person is given the title Servant of God. So, at this point, he is Servant of God Nino Baglieri.
The Diocesan Inquiry was opened on March 3, 2014. The closing of the diocesan phase, according to the Salesian News Agency, took place on Sunday, May 5.
The diocesan phase concluded with the sealing of eight packets containing all the information and testimonies compiled about the life and work of Baglieri. Also present were the ninth successor of Don Bosco, Father Pascual Chávez, and the Salesian postulator, Father Pierluigi Cameroni, Regarding the Servant of God, he emphasized that “prayer for Nino was everything: Despite his suffering, like a light that shines and burns, he managed to infect others with the meaning of true prayer.”