In paradisum

Father Fabiano Giorgini C.P., the man who knew more than anyone else in this world about the history of the Passionists and Saint Paul of the Cross, died today (28 April, formerly the Feast of Saint Paul of the Cross) at the age of seventy-nine. He wrote volumes 1 and 2/2 of the History of the Passionists, edited the first volume of the new edition of the Lettere di San Paolo della Croce (having established the critical version of the text of the letters working from the original manuscript sources), produced recently (in Italian) a new edition of the complete writings of Saint Gemma Galgani, and published numerous articles on Passionist history and spirituality. He was a Consultor for the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, President of the Historical Commission of the Congregation of the Passion, and had been Provincial of the Province of the Pieta twice and Vicar General of the Passionist Congregation once. His doctoral thesis La Maremma toscana nel settecento is considered a classic work on the topic and is still cited by historians today, more than fifty years after it was written.

Generations of postgraduate students in Rome went to him for advice on their dissertations or theses, and he was always ready to encourage new research and provide helpful hints for developing a new line of thought. He was deeply committed to supporting the Passionist Contemplative Nuns in whatever way he thought was best, and travelled the world offering the Nuns opportunities for ongoing formation in our history and spirituality.

As well as putting himself at the service of his Passionist brothers, not just academically but in the everyday service that builds up community life, he also lived a very profound spiritual life and was recognised by those who lived with him as a man of deep prayer. He was a clear example of what it means to practice heroicity of virtue. May the Lord welcome him into the happiness of heaven.