Nicola Mazza

Life & Legacy

Nicola Mazza (10 March 1790 – 2 August 1865) was an Italian Catholic priest known for his work in the African missions of the 19th century. He was dedicated to both the evangelization of Central Africa (he used to be called "Don Congo" due to this) and equal access to a good education.
He served as a teacher for over three decades as well as a chaplain and was known for his dedication to the Christian formation of children. Mazza was also a student and close friend to Gaspare Bertoni and was also close with a range of prominent prelates including Daniele Comboni, whom he sent to the missions in Africa.
Mazza's beatification process opened in the 1920s and culminated on 3 June 2013 after Pope Francis confirmed his heroic virtue and named Mazza as Venerable.