St. Francesco Saverio Maria Bianchi

  Posted on February 1, 2021  by admin  No comments

Born: December 2, 1743 Arpino, Lazio, Papal States

Died: January 31, 1815 (aged 71) Naples, Kingdom of Naples

Venerated: in Roman Catholicism (Barnabite Order and the Archdiocese of Naples)

Beatified: February 22, 1893, Rome, Kingdom of Italy by Pope Leo XIII

Canonized: October 21, 1951, Rome, Italy, by Pope Pius XII

Major shrine: Church of Santa Maria di Caravaggio, Naples, Italy

Feast: 31 January

Studied in Naples, Italy. Joined the Barnabite at age 14 over the objections of his family. Ordained in 1767. Served as the president of two colleges. Noted for his endless ministry to the poor and neglected, his work to prevent girls from turning to prostitution, for his personal austerities, his gift of prophecy, and as a miracle worker. 

Reported to have stopped the flow of lava from Mount Vesuvius in 1805. His health destroyed by overwork, late in life he lost the use of his legs, but continued to work with those whom he felt were worse off than himself. 

When the Barnabites were expelled from Naples, his health was so poor that he had to be left behind, and he died separated from his brothers.