At 11:00 a.m., on Sunday, November 9, 2025, the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the Pontifical Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua celebrated a solemn Mass to commemorate 81st anniversary of the death of Friar Placido CORTESE.
His Eminence Cardinal Marcello SEMERARO, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, presided over the Mass. Others present included Friar Roberto BRANDINELLI, the Minister Provincial of the Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua (Northern Italy); Friar Raimundo Valdo NOGUEIRA, the Postulator General; Friar Giorgio LAGGIONI, the Vice Postulator for the Cause of the canonization of Friar Placido; and many faithful and religious.
Friar Placido CORTESE was a Friar of the Province of St. Anthony and the Director of the “Messaggero di Sant’Antonio” magazine. During the Nazi-Fascist occupation of Italy, he organized a secret network of aid and rescue operations that involved young people, students, and women, to assist Jews, political prisoners, Allied soldiers, and Yugoslav internees in the Chiesanuova concentration camp in Padua. Because of his humanitarian activities, he was tortured and killed in November of 1944. He thus gave witness to the charity he lived to the point of making the ultimate sacrifice.
At the end of the Mass, everyone gathered at Friar Placido’s confessional-memorial for a moment of prayer and commemoration, renewing their commitment to follow his example of dedication and service to the least among us.
Other events commemorating Friar Placido CORTESE are scheduled:
- Friday, November 28, 12 noon: a walk way named after the Martini sisters will be inaugurated. The sisters were collaborators of Friar Placido, in the Brentelle district of Padua;
- Friday, December 5, at 5:00 p.m.: a presentation of the new book: “The Chiesanuova Concentration Camp,” held in the Paladin Hall of Palazzo Moroni in Padua. The book is the result of extensive research on the site where Friar Placido worked with tireless charity.
The attentive and reverent participation of the friars and the faithful in this commemoration event shows how the memory of Friar Placido remains alive and active. His example of charity and dedication continues to inspire concrete gestures of solidarity, supporting the path of faith and commitment to peace and justice in every age.
Friar Raimundo Valdo NOGUEIRA, Postulator General
