The early history of the Congregation of the
Oratory in Turin is one of turmoil and difficulty. It was founded in 1649 by Fr
Pietro Antonio Defera, who was joined by Fr Ottavio Cambiani. They spent their
time visiting the poor, those in hospital and prison, preaching simply and
directly, and looking after their church with generous hearts and fervent
spirits. A group of six young men were about to join this tiny community when
Fr Defera died at the age of 34, leaving Fr Cambiani alone to shore up the
delicate foundation, without the promised new recruits. He spent his solitary
days at the altar, in the confessional and the pulpit, offering the Mass
solemnly with beautiful music, and just being around for the convenience of the
people of Turin. This was the Congregation that the young subdeacon Sebastian
joined in 1651, and in time others joined this small group. For several years
the Congregation numbered only three or four, yet these few dedicated men
helped large numbers of people to live humble and devout lives in the midst of
the world following the inspiration of St Philip.
Bl Sebastian was born on 9th March 1629 to a humble
and poor family, and he remained poor throughout his life in the poor
Congregation at Turin. At the Oratory he wished simply to serve the people of
God in whatever capacity he was given; whether in pastoral work, house
administration, scholarly pursuits (he was awarded a doctorate in 1656), or
sweeping the stairs. He would as happily go the death beds of the poor or the
Royal family of Savoy, often taking with him a volume of philosophy or theology
to read if the death agony was long.Most of life was spent wandering around the streets and squares simply being available, speaking of God’s love for all men and of the love that we should have for each other. It is no coincidence that the Feast of the Sacred Heart was first celebrated for the first time at Turin by Bl Sebastian in 1694. The holy Shroud of Turin had special place in his devotions, so much so that he spent some time repairing the precious relic, stitching whilst shedding abundant tears. He said of it,
“The Cross received the living Jesus and gave
Him back to us dead; the Shroud received the dead Jesus and restored Him
to us alive.”
He died at the age of 80 on the morning of 30th January 1710. His little room was filled with scholarly papers and packages of clothes for the poor. A few days before he had directed a retreat for the monks of Sancta Croce and then gone straight to the prisons to visit those condemned to death. From this duty he rushed back to the Oratory church for Benediction, remaining on his knees through the time of adoration, and then straight to the pious exercises of the Oratorian community in their cold house. The next morning, although he was running a fever, he celebrated Mass and heard a number of confessions, and then at last exhausted he took to his bed. Even here he continued his work of administering the tenderness of God by receiving the many friends and penitents who wished his blessing. He was beatified on 15th July 1834 by Gregory XVI.
Source: http://www.manchesteroratory.org/sancti-et-beati/blessed-sebastian-valfre
