Part of a Series on Vincentian Heritage Places

Pisa

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By April 1853 the Ozanams were situated in Pisa. He knew his state of health was serious. Originally the Ozanams had traveled to Pisa for the sake of a dry climate. Unfortunately, they encountered nearly fifty days of rain, which exacerbated Frédéric’s condition. As the months progressed, his pain increased.

Amélie watched over Frédéric, witnessing his struggle with the eyes of deep faith: “God apparently wants to purify him even before he takes him. The more his body is weakened by his suffering, the more beautiful his soul grows and develops. Never was his heart warmer; never was his spirit livelier. Not a word of complaint!”

Frederic would not despair. He wanted to abandon himself with love to the will of God: “I will what you will, when you will, in whatever way you will, because you will.” The words are from a prayer in The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis. The work was dear to Ozanam, and he fondly remembered reading it in the early days of the first conference of charity.

Source: Antoine Frédéric Ozanam by Raymond L. Sickinger, University of Notre Dame Press

View of Pisa

All Vincentian Places in this Series

Red = Vincent de Paul, Blue = Frederic Ozanam

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