Antonio Maria Pucci
Encyclopedia
Antonio Maria Pucci, O.S.M., (16 April 1819, Vernio
, Province of Prato
- 12 January 1892) was an Italian friar
and priest
, who was proclaimed a saint by Pope John XXIII
on 9 December 1962.
Born Eustace Pucci to a poor sacristan
and his wife, he felt called to life in a religious order
early in life. In this, he was opposed by his father, despite his own career as a church worker. Overcoming this opposition, Eustace entered the Servite Order
at age 18, at which time he was the name Anthony Mary (Antonio Maria).
In 1843, at age 28, he was assigned to serve as the local pastor
of the town of Viareggio
. He went on to serve in this post for the next forty-eight years, until his death Italy. Known as il curatino (the Little Pastor), he took care of the poor, sick and elderly people, especially during two epidemics. In 1853 he founded an institution for the education of children and initiated the first seaside hostel for sick and poor children in Viareggio. He also helped found the Holy Childhood Society.
Vernio
Vernio is a comune in the Province of Prato in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 30 km northwest of Florence and about 20 km north of Prato....
, Province of Prato
Province of Prato
The Province of Prato is a province in the Tuscany region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Prato. It was formed from part of the province of Florence in 1992.The province has an area of 365 km², and a total population of 227,886...
- 12 January 1892) was an Italian friar
Friar
A friar is a member of one of the mendicant orders.-Friars and monks:...
and priest
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
, who was proclaimed a saint by Pope John XXIII
Pope John XXIII
-Papal election:Following the death of Pope Pius XII in 1958, Roncalli was elected Pope, to his great surprise. He had even arrived in the Vatican with a return train ticket to Venice. Many had considered Giovanni Battista Montini, Archbishop of Milan, a possible candidate, but, although archbishop...
on 9 December 1962.
Born Eustace Pucci to a poor sacristan
Sacristan
A sacristan is an officer who is charged with the care of the sacristy, the church, and their contents.In ancient times many duties of the sacristan were performed by the doorkeepers , later by the treasurers and mansionarii...
and his wife, he felt called to life in a religious order
Religious order
A religious order is a lineage of communities and organizations of people who live in some way set apart from society in accordance with their specific religious devotion, usually characterized by the principles of its founder's religious practice. The order is composed of initiates and, in some...
early in life. In this, he was opposed by his father, despite his own career as a church worker. Overcoming this opposition, Eustace entered the Servite Order
Servite Order
The Servite Order is one of the five original Catholic mendicant orders. Its objects are the sanctification of its members, preaching the Gospel, and the propagation of devotion to the Mother of God, with special reference to her sorrows. The members of the Order use O.S.M. as their post-nominal...
at age 18, at which time he was the name Anthony Mary (Antonio Maria).
In 1843, at age 28, he was assigned to serve as the local pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
of the town of Viareggio
Viareggio
Viareggio is a city and comune located in northern Tuscany, Italy, on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. With a population of over 64,000 it is the main centre of the northern Tuscan Riviera known as Versilia, and the second largest city within the Province of Lucca.It is known as a seaside resort...
. He went on to serve in this post for the next forty-eight years, until his death Italy. Known as il curatino (the Little Pastor), he took care of the poor, sick and elderly people, especially during two epidemics. In 1853 he founded an institution for the education of children and initiated the first seaside hostel for sick and poor children in Viareggio. He also helped found the Holy Childhood Society.
External links
- Canonization of Antonio Maria Pucci
- Saint Antony Mary Pucci at Patron Saints Index