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April 30, 2026
Biffi: The Carpenter Who Resurrected a City
I continue to discover Monsignor Eugenio Biffi. Every time I pause on his story, a moving phrase or a gesture that motivates me to know him more appears. This time I want to approach three moments in his life that say more about him than any posthumous praise.
TL;DR
- Biffi, appointed bishop of Cartagena in 1880 by Pope Leo XIII, frankly stated his mission was to "resurrect a dead person," then proceeded to preach, confess, and build throughout the diocese.
- He described his presbytery as working with "old, rusty, and damaged irons" but found his greatest resource in "the holy people of God" and families providing support, rather than ideal personnel or budget.
- Biffi believed "good that is not communicated rots," actively engaging with the community by teaching, visiting prisons, and opening workshops, emphasizing that shared talents transform society.