Saint Pompilius, the saint of the poor

Son of a noble family from Irpinia, at the age of eighteen he entered the Order of the Pious Schools, founded by Saint Joseph Calasanzio, and took the name of Pompilio Maria, in memory of his brother who died in the seminary. In 1728 he wore the religious habit of the Piarists in Brindisi, promising vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, changing his name to Pompilio Maria. In 1733 he was assigned to the Piarist House of Campi Salentina, as Superior and Master of Novices. During the famine he distributed slices of bread to the poor. In fact, in Campi Salentina, a monument celebrates him in the act of distributing bread.

The remains are preserved in the sanctuary of San Pompilio Maria Pirrotti in Campi Salentina.