Michelangelo Celesia

Michelangelo Celesia OSB Cas (January 13, 1814 – April 14, 1904) was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Archbishop of Palermo from 1871 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1884.

Biography

Celesia was born in Palermo, and received the Sacrament of Confirmation on May 27, 1822. Upon entering the Order of St. Benedict Cassinese, he took the name Michelangelo. He made his solemn profession on January 15, 1835, and was ordained to the priesthood on July 24, 1836. Celesia later served in various positions at the monastery in Palermo from 1840 to 1846, such as lector of philosophy, dean, professor of dogmatic theology, and master of novices. He then became prior of the monastery in Messina, and of that in Militello. He became Abbot of the renowned Monte Cassino, by papal decree, on March 25, 1850, and general procurator in 1858.

On March 23, 1860, Celesia was appointed Bishop of Patti by Pope Pius IX, receiving his episcopal consecration on the following April 15 from Cardinal Girolamo D'Andrea. The Benedictine attended the First Vatican Council, and was later named Archbishop of Palermo on October 27, 1871.

Pope Leo XIII created him Cardinal-Priest of Santa Prisca in the consistory of November 13, 1884. Celesia opted for the titular church of S. Marco on November 25, 1887, and, although eligible, was unable to participate in the papal conclave of 1903 due to ill health.

Cardinal Celesia died in Palermo, at the age of 90, by when he was the oldest cardinal still living. After lying in state in the metropolitan cathedral of Palermo, he was buried in the church of the Capuchin Friars in Palermo.

External links

• Catholic-Hierarchy
• Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church