Saint Who?
Saints Who Studied Law
Blessed Rosario Livatino
Martyr († 1990) Feast: October 29
Rosario was born in Canicattì, Italy, studied law at the University of Palermo, and earned his law degree at the age of twenty-four. Due to his excellent grades, he was given the position of magistrate of the court in Agrigento.
Rosario was involved in his parish, often stopped by the church to visit the Blessed Sacrament, and participated in Catholic Action. He briefly dated a few young women, but he dedicated most of his time to his work. As deputy prosecutor and later as assistant judge, he became known as the most productive magistrate in the prosecutor’s office. When a war erupted between competing mafia families in 1990, Rosario prosecuted many cases of corruption against these families and won. Senior leaders of organized crime were arrested, and their money and property were seized. The mafia clans tried to bribe and intimidate him, of course, but they got nowhere.
On September 21, as Rosario was driving to work, four assassins murdered him along the side of a highway. During the trials of those responsible, it became clear that he was hated and targeted because he was a practicing Catholic. Of the many people who gave testimony to Rosario’s sanctity during the beatification process, one of them was one of his killers, who was interviewed from prison.
God of Justice, grant us the peace that you offer
to those who love your law.
