Starting his university career as professor of Ecclesiology, Mario Midali groomed himself gradually into an acclaimed practical theologian in Italy, Europe and beyond. The five volumes of Teologia Pratica (Practical Theology) and the one on Spiritualità Apostolica (Apostolic Spirituality) attest to the vast knowledge and complexity of perspectives with which Midali configured and fostered the development of the theological discipline, making his own original contribution: by refining the epistemology, perfecting the methodology and enhancing the areas of concern. The paper seeks to trace the making of the practical theologian embedded in his own (unpublished) life history and academic research and publications. In this way, the present contribution hopes to shed light not only on the complex and innovative production of Midali in the field of Practical Theology, but also evince the advancement made possible with regard to contextual empirical approach to “youth practical-public theology” in my own research and publication, as Midali’s disciple and successor in the chair of Fundamental Practical Theology.