by Tim Hoheisel

Catholic missionaries came from Europe to Minnesota as early as the late 17th century. Some of the more well-known include Lucien Galtier and Frederic Baraga, and around here, Francis Pierz, of course. There were others who labored in relative obscurity, and finding their history requires more research. One of those is someone with whom Pierz had contact in the 1850s, an Italian priest who went by the name of Canon de Vivaldi.

Vivaldi was born in Italy. He lived in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas, Brazil and Rome, and he died in France. He was ordained a priest, then left the order, got married, had a daughter, left his wife and child, and went back to the priesthood.

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Source: http://www.sctimes.com/