Saint Richard Pampuri, also known as Erminio Filippo Pampuri, was born on August 2, 1897, in Trivolzio, Pavia, Italy. He was the tenth of eleven children born to Innocenzo and Angela Pampuri. Unfortunately, Erminio's mother passed away from tuberculosis when he was just three years old. As a result, he was raised by his maternal grandparents and an aunt. Tragically, his father died in a traffic accident when Erminio was ten years old. From a young age, Erminio had a strong desire to become a missionary priest. However, due to his weak health, he realized that he would not be able to endure the physical challenges of missionary work. Instead, he decided to pursue a medical career inspired by his uncle Carlo, a village doctor. Erminio enrolled at Pavia University to study medicine and became deeply involved in his faith. As a Franciscan tertiary, he was also a member of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and actively participated in Catholic Action. Despite his busy schedule, Erminio attended Mass on a daily basis during his time at university. In 1917, Erminio was drafted into the Italian army medical corps to serve during World War I. As a sergeant, he worked in field hospitals where he witnessed the suffering and misery caused by the war. This experience only deepened his desire to alleviate the pain and serve those in need. After the war, Erminio resumed his medical studies and graduated at the top of his class on July 6, 1921. He became a rural health officer in Morimondo, a poor area near Milan, Italy. Additionally, he served as the secretary for his parish missionary society, organizing retreats for the local laymen and working with the youth in the area. Erminio dedicated himself to caring for the poor, treating them for free and coordinating charitable initiatives on their behalf. He founded the Band of Pius X, a group committed to providing medical care to those who lacked access. His commitment to serving the less fortunate was marked by his willingness to not only offer medical treatment but also provide financial assistance and food to those in need. Feeling a calling to religious life, Erminio joined the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God on June 22, 1927, and took the name Riccardo. He made his formal profession as a religious brother on October 24, 1928. In his role within the Order, he ran a free dental clinic in Brescia, where he not only treated patients but also helped them with financial and material aid whenever required. On May 1, 1930, Saint Richard Pampuri tragically passed away in Milan, Italy, at the age of 32. He succumbed to pleurisy, tuberculosis, and pneumonia. Despite his short life, he left a lasting impact through his selfless dedication to the poor and his commitment to healing both their physical and spiritual needs. Saint Richard Pampuri was venerated by Pope Paul VI on June 12, 1978. He was then beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 4, 1981, and ultimately canonized on November 1, 1989, by the same Pope. Although Saint Richard does not have a specific patronage, his life serves as a powerful example of living out one's faith through service to others.
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