Constantine Vendrame
Italian Salesian missionary
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Constantine Vendrame,[1][2][3] also known as the "Apostle of Shillong"[4][5] was a Salesian missionary from Italy who worked for the welfare of Khasis, in North East, India.[6][7]
San Martino di Colle Umberto, Treviso, Italy
Constantine Vendrame | |
|---|---|
| Priest | |
| Born | 27 August 1893 San Martino di Colle Umberto, Treviso, Italy |
| Died | 30 January 1957 (aged 63) Dibrugarh, Assam, India |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
| Major shrine | Shrine of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Mawlai, Shillong, India |
Early life and education
Constantine Vendrame was born on 27 August 1893 to Pietro and Elena Fiori in San Martino di Colle Umberto, Treviso, Italy. He joined the Salesian novitiate at Ivrea on 15 September 1913. He completed his study of philosophy and was sent for his regency to the oratory of Chioggia. He also served for a four-year compulsory military service. After the completion of his military service, he pursued his theological formation while working simultaneously in the oratories of Chioggia and Venice.[6]
Priesthood
On 15 March 1924 Vendrame was ordained a Catholic priest by the cardinal Eugenio Tosi at the chapel of the Archiepiscopal seminary of Milan.[6]
Missionary to India
Vendrame arrived in Shillong on 23 December 1924. At the start of the World War II in 1939, Vendrame and another 150 Italian missionaries were put in the concentration camp. After the war Vendrame was asked by Louis Mathias to go to Wandiwash, Tamil Nadu. He came back to Shillong in 1951. He was always busy in preaching gospel, helping needy and bringing people back to the church.[6]
Death
Sainthood
The process for canonisation is underway for Constantine Vendrame.[11]