Born in Italy in 1789, he was one of the six sons of Giacomo and Maria, who worked on a farm.
Anthony was a devout and gifted student and the owner of the farm was so impressed, he paid for Anthony to go to Genoa and study for the priesthood.
There he excelled and was ordained in 1812, receiving a special dispensation because he was so young.
He was made a professor and held that role exclusively for more than a decade.
Then, in 1826, Anthony was given the added responsibility of being the Archpriest at St. John the Baptist.
Twice he founded orders for men but neither succeeded.
However, in 1829, Anthony started The Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden, dedicated to teaching, and caring for the sick and aging, with a great devotion to The Blessed Sacrament, and The Blessed Mother.
In 1837, Anthony was made Bishop of Bobbio. He had a gift for unifying the Diocese, personally and regularly visiting each of his parishes.
However, in 1845, he developed tuberculosis and died on this day just one year later.
St. Anthony Maria Gianelli, please pray for us.