Father Bruno Lantéri (1759-1830) was a man who knew how to read the “signs of the times” and respond to the pressing needs of society and the Church.
When he was in his early twenties, Bruno met a Jesuit father, Father Nicolas Diessbach, who was to have a great influence on his life.
Through his contact with this religious, the young Bruno experienced God’s infinite tenderness and mercy, the power of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the influence that good books can have on the lives of individuals, and the importance for the Church of forming committed lay people who will be “multipliers” of the Good News of the Gospel.
In his time, Father Lantéri also created favorable conditions for the training of priests and seminarians.
Throughout his life, he evangelized by word and writing.
His writings (in Italian, Latin and French) can be seen as a spiritual guide, reflecting his various sources of inspiration, including Sacred Scripture, the Fathers of the Church, and the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis de Sales, St. Alphonse-Marie de Liguori, St. Teresa of Avila and St. Bonaventure.
In 1825, Bruno Lantéri founded the Community of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary in Pinerolo, northern Italy.