| Blessed Lorenzo Maria of St Francis Xavier | |
|---|---|
| Confessor | |
| Born | October 30, 1782 Rome, Italy |
| Died | June 12, 1856 Viterbo, Italy |
| Honored in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 1999, Rome, Italy by Pope John Paul II |
| Feast | June 12 |
| Attributes | Passionist Habit and Sign, image of the Child Jesus |
Blessed Lorenzo Maria of Saint Francis Xavier, (also known as Lorenzo Salvi), a member of the Passionist Congregation, born on October 30, 1782 in Rome, Italy; died June 12, 1856 at Viterbo. Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1999.
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Lorenzo Salvi was born at Rome on October 30, 1782. He studied for the priesthood at Jesuit-run the Collegio Romano in Rome; his classmates included the future Pope Gregory XVI.[1] He was greatly impressed by the preaching and zeal of Saint Vincent Strambi and soon followed him into the Passionist Congregation. He became a novice at Monte Argentario in 1801, the first monastery of the Passionists. He received the religious name Lorenzo Maria of Saint Francis Xavier and professed his vows on 20 November 1802, being ordained priest on 29 December 1805. The anti-clerical laws of Napoleon saw the Passionist house suppressed and its members dispersed.[1] When at last Lorenzo was able to return to Passionist life he preached missions and encouraged devotion to the Passion of Christ, these two things are the hallmarks of the Passionist life.[2] He was devoted to the Infant Jesus and often wrote about and preached on the wonders of the Incarnation, ever since he has been depicted in religious art with a picture of the Child Jesus.[2] He was made Rector of the Passionist mother house in Rome, SS John and Paul, but spent much of his time preaching missions, his Vice-Rector was Blessed Dominic Barberi. He died at Capranica, Viterbo, Italy of natural causes.[1]
Lorenzo Maria of St. Francis Xavier was beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 1, 1989. He is buried in the Passionist church of St. Angelo, Vetralla (Viterbo).[1]