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Enrico Beretta was born on August 28, 1916, to Alberto Beretta and Maria de Micheli. Enrico was the seventh of thirteenth children, eight of whom survived into adulthood.
The parents, both Franciscan tertiaries, took their Catholic faith seriously and made sure their children were raised with a strong background in the faith. Alberto and Maria encouraged their children to do their best in their chosen occupations and then share their gifts with others. Of the children who lived, Giuseppe became a monsignor in the Diocese of Bergamo; Virginia became a physician and Canossian Sister; Enrico became a physician and priest; and Giana Beretta Molla gave up her life rather than have an abortion to treat cancer and was canonized in 2004.
On July 11, 1942, Enrico received his doctorate in medicine from Milan. Enrico, however, discovered that he was called to the priesthood. So, he studied for two years in Fribourg, Switzerland and finished his priesthood studies in Milan. During his studies, he was influenced by the PIME missionary priests.
Enrico was ordained in Milan on March 18, 1948, and immediately assigned to the Diocese of Grajaú in Brazil. His first assignment in Brazil was to build a new diocesan hospital. So, with the help of his brother who was an engineer, Enrico went to work. But while he worked on the new hospital, he developed a close relationship to the Franciscan Capuchins and joined the order. In religious life, he chose the name “Alberto María” to honor both his father and mother. He made his solemn profession on august 16, 1961.
Because Brazil did not recognize his medical license from Italy, the new priest had to repeat courses again and pass numerous exams. Though this must have been an incredibly difficult cross to bear, Father Alberto methodically did each specialty and passed the exams. This would serve him greatly in the future when he was faced with being the only physician for miles around and need to be a “jack-of-all-trades” in medicine.
Father Alberto served the poor in many ways, both as a physician and a priest. He treated patients, celebrated Mass every day in the hospital, and visited the sick even in remote areas. And, in addition to building the St. Francis of Assisi Hospital, he opened a medical clinic and a home for persons with leprosy.
On Christmas Eve 1981, after serving the people of Brazil for 33 years, Father Alberto Maria had a stroke. He was transferred back home to Italy where he lived with his brother, Msgr. Giuseppe, in Borgo Canale, Bergamo until his death on August 10, 2001.
Father Alberto Maria was able to attend the canonization of his sister, Gianna Beretta Molla and met Pope St. John Paul II at that time. Father Alberto Maria celebrated his fiftieth anniversary of priesthood ordination on March 19, 1998.
Alberto Maria Beretta was proclaimed Venerable in 2023.
