Blessed Maturin-Marie Pitri

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Drafted into the French army, he was assigned to serve in Italy during the Napoleonic wars. He became seriously ill in Veroli, Italy, hospitalized, and while being cared for by Blessed Ignace-Alexandre-Joseph Cardon, Maturin admitted to being drawn to religious life, and of a desire to join the Cistercians. When he recovered from his illness in January 1799, Blessed Ignace helped smuggle Maturin to the Casamari abbey where he began working toward becoming a Cistercian brother. Martyred by invading French revolutionary soldiers.