On 13th November, we celebrate the memorial of Blessed Artimide Zatti, a Salesian Brother who dedicated his life to caring for the sick poor in Argentina.

A child of poor Italian immigrants, Artimide had only been able to attend elementary school, so when he was called to become a Salesian priest, he was greatly challenged by his studies. Another difficulty came when, as a novice, he contracted TB from a young priest he was looking after. In the hope of a cure in the pure air of the Andes, he travelled to Viedma, where he found his true vocation, working alongside Fr Evaristo Garrone, a Salesian doctor who ran a pharmacy and hospital, and never turned away those who could not pay.

Working as a pharmacist for many years, Bl Artimide devoted himself to his patients, and after the death of his mentor, he took on responsibility for the entire hospital.

At his beatification in 2002, St John Paul II said: 'Blessed Artemide lived what St John Bosco said to the first Salesians leaving for America: "Take special care of the sick, the children, the elderly, the poor, and you will receive God's blessing and the respect of those around you".'

Blessed Artimide, pray for us!

Want to know more about Bl Artimide? Order the Pocketbook from Don Bosco Publications on our online shop