Father Victor Rizzi - Biographical Note

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FATHER VICTOR RIZZI
Biographical Note

Vittorio Rizzi was born on July 10, 1940 at Cavizzana, Trento, in Northern Italy. The thirteenth child of Rosa Ghirardini and Domenico Rizzi, the entire family welcomed this child with joy and love despite all the worries generated by the uncertainties of the war. But a year and a half later, the father, aged fifty-four, fell gravely ill and died. Left to bear alone the full responsibility of those who remained, the mother watched incessantly in order that her children might not suffer unduly from the death of their father. She drew her strength and courage from her faith and hope in God.

Drawn to the religious life, Vittorio left his beloved home at the age of thirteen to enter the Camillian Fathers’ juvenate at Milan, some three hundred miles (480 km) southeast of his village. At eighteen, he entered the novitiate in Verona where he continued his studies in philosophy. In 1964, he was to pursue his theological studies at the Camillian House in Canada. Fully aware of his commitment, and imbued with the religious ideal that directed his thoughts to a total giving, he was ordained a priest on June 23, 1968 at Padua, Italy.

Father Victor Rizzi, on the day of his first Mass

1968 - Father Victor giving
Communion to his dear mother
on the day of his first Mass.

Two months later Father Vittorio recieved a posting which sent him first to Canada (Sherbrooke), then to the United States (Milwaukee and Boston) and finally back to Canada where he became chaplain at the Enfant-Jésus Hospital in Quebec City. A short time later, a confrere, Father Denis Laprise, was to join him there. It was at the hopital that Father Victor would meet Marie-Paule to whom he administered the sacrament of the sick, given the seriousness of her state of health. Father Victor was quick to discern the spiritual and mystical richness of this soul. He became a member of the Marian Group and gave himself completely in his ministry to souls which were seeking sound direction, an apostolate he continues within the Army of Mary founded on August 28, 1971 and of which he has become a pillar.

In the fifth volume of Life of Love, Marie-Paule wrote: “When we first met at the hospital, I immediately felt that Father Victor would be linked with Life of Love. I also ‘know’ that he will be called upon to play a most important role in the Church, and that he will benefit greatly from a rich reserve of merits acquired by an exceptional mother – for the grandeur of the priest is the fruit of his mother’s sacrifices. The priestly vocation is a redemption; the soul must bleed for it” (Life of Love V, chapter 21).

Father Victor Rizzi,
Son of Mary

Father Victor next
next to a painting of
Father Philippe.

In 1985, Father Victor gave up his responsibility as hospital chaplain, dedicating himself entirely to the Work and to souls. After Father Philippe Roy’s death on February 22, 1988, he took over the formation of the members of the Army of Mary by giving catechism courses every week, besides assuming responsibility with regard to the Community of the Sons of Mary, of which he became a member. He would be the Superior General of the Community from 2000 to 2003.

On May 31, 1992, Father Victor succeeded Father Philippe as the Marian Father when the Marialys Institute was founded, becoming its first member and its spiritual Father

.In the year 2000, when the Eucharistic and Marian Center Spiri-Maria was inaugurated at Lac-Etchemin, Father Victor would begin preaching retreats.

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From the fifth volume of Life of Love, and on through the Appendices, are set down the many details of the spiritual itinerary of Father Victor Rizzi.

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FATHER VICTOR RIZZI Biographical Note

FATHER VICTOR RIZZI
Biographical Note