Educator and mentor

Giovanni Minzoni was born in Ravenna on July 1, 1885. He received the Silver Medal of Military Valor during his service at the front in the First World War and subsequently served as a pastor in Argenta (Ferrara).
His ministry was distinguished by special attention to the poorest and most needy classes. He devoted himself to educating the young people of his town by promoting social clubs; he wanted to foster the cultural growth of the less affluent classes and, to provide further opportunities for “his” young people, he founded a Scout group in the parish.

An anti-Fascist from the beginning

Don Giovanni joined the anti-Fascist movement even before the March on Rome, denouncing the violence committed by Fascist squad members against agricultural workers who demanded the most basic wage claims from their employers. In 1923, he publicly condemned the killing of his friend Natale Gabba by Italo Balbo’s followers. This stance placed him in danger.

Martyrdom

After being threatened several times, on the evening of August 23, 1923, he was struck from behind by two Fascist squad members with stones and sticks. He was given first aid and examined by a doctor, but died around midnight. He was 38 years old.
Despite public outrage, the Fascist regime shelved the investigation into those responsible for the murder. But a year later, a public accusation identified Italo Balbo as the instigator of the assassination, publishing documents that proved his “involvement” in the beatings; Balbo, swept up in the scandal, resigned as consul of the Volunteer Militia for National Security.

The spiritual testament

Shortly before his death, Don Minzoni had written:

«With an open heart, through prayer
which will never cease for my persecutors,
I await the storm, the persecution,
perhaps death for the triumph of the cause of Christ».

Towards beatification

Don Minzoni is on the path to sainthood. On August 23, 2023, at the end of the celebration commemorating the centenary of his death, presided over by Cardinal Zuppi, the opening date of the diocesan inquiry into his cause for beatification and canonization was announced. It took place on October 7, 2023, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

We would like to point out 
The evangelical heroism of this free man, who is not afraid to get his hands dirty, also aroused interest in the media, which a few years ago featured him as the protagonist of a television film, Beyond the Storm.