- Antonio Lucci
Blessed Antonio Lucci (
1682 -1752 ) was an ItalianFranciscan . He is commemorated onJuly 26 .Born in
Agnone in southernItaly , a city famous for manufacturing bells and copper crafts, he was given the name Angelo at baptism. He attended the local school run by theConventual Franciscans and joined them at the age of 16. Antonio completed his studies for the priesthood inAssisi , where he was ordained in 1705. Further studies led to a doctorate in theology and appointments as a teacher in Agnone,Ravello andNaples . He also served as guardian in Naples.Elected minister provincial in 1718, the following year he was appointed professor at
St. Bonaventure College inRome , a position he held untilPope Benedict XIII chose him asbishop of Bovino (nearFoggia ) in 1729. The pope explained, "I have chosen as bishop of Bovino an eminent theologian and a great saint."His 23 years as bishop were marked by visits to local parishes and a renewal of
gospel living among the people of his diocese. He dedicated his episcopal income to works of education and charity. At the urging of the Conventual minister general, Bishop Lucci wrote a major book about the saints and blesseds in the first 200 years of the Conventual Franciscans.Antonio studied with and was a friend of
St. Francesco Antonio Fasani , who after Antonio Lucci’s death, testified at the diocesan hearings regarding the holiness of Lucci. Antonio wasbeatified in 1989, three years after Fasani wascanonized .External links
* [http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintofDay/ American Catholic article entitled "Blessed Antonio Lucci"]
* [http://www.franciscancommunity.com/franciscan_saints.htm Franciscans Minor Conventual article entitled "Saint Francis Anthony Fasani"]
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