Saint Joseph Moscati is known as the first modern physician to be canonized.
Seventh of nine children. Joseph’s family moved to Naples, Italy when the boy was four years old; he made his First Communion at age eight, Confirmation at ten. Friend of Blessed Bartolo Longo and Blessed Caterina Volpicelli. Received his doctorate from the University of Naples in 1903. Worked at and served as administrator of a hospital for the incurable while continuing to study and do medical research. Assisted in the preparation for and recovery from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius on 8 April 1906, but refused any recognition for the work. Led the work to stop cholera in Naples. Member of the Royal Academy of Surgical Medicine in 1911, and received a doctorate in physiological chemistry. Directed several hospitals and medical societies, and was one of the first to experiment with the use of insulin for diabetes. Tried to enlist in the army in World War I, but was refused and instead ran a hospital for the wounded; personally treated almost 3,000 soldiers. He healed (sometimes miraculously), taught at numerous universities and hospitals, and supported the poor and outcast; could sometimes diagnose a patient‘s illness and prescribe for it without having seen the patient. Knew when and how to use a patient‘s faith and the sacraments to effect a cure.