Ignatius of Laconi, St.

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IGNATIUS OF LACONI, ST.

Lay brother; b. Laconi (Nuoro), Sardinia, Dec. 10, 1701; d. Cagliari, Sardinia, May 11, 1781. The second of seven children born to peasants Mattia and Anna Maria Peis was baptized Francis Ignatius Vincent. He was never taught to read or write, but from childhood he gave evidence of sanctity. On Nov. 10, 1721, he entered the Capuchin Order at Cagliari as a lay brother. For 60 years he edified his confreres and the people of Cagliari, where he served his Order as questor for alms, by his heroic austerity, humility, and charity, and the gift of miracles. Ignatius was beatified by pius xii, June 16, 1940, and later canonized by the same pontiff, Oct. 21, 1951.

Feast: May 11 (formerly May 12).

Bibliography: a. fiorentino, Yours Is the Kingdom: The Life of St. Ignatius of Laconi, ed. tr. c. flora and m. moakler (Paterson, N.J. 1953). Lexicon Capuccinum (Rome 1951) 800801.

[t. macvicar]