Lorenzo Maria of Saint Francis Xavier
| Blessed Lorenzo Maria of St Francis Xavier  | |
|---|---|
| Priest | |
| Born |
30 October 1782 Rome, Papal States |
| Died |
12 June 1856 (aged 73) Viterbo, Papal States |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 1 October 1989, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II |
| Feast | 12 June |
| Attributes |
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Blessed Lorenzo Maria of Saint Francis Xavier, (also known as Lorenzo Salvi) (30 October 1782 - 12 June 1856) was an Italian Roman Catholic priest and a member of the Passionist order.
Salvi was beatified on 1 October 1999.
Life
Lorenzo Salvi di Mazzeria was born in Rome on 30 October 1782.
He studied for the priesthood at the 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 Vincenzo Strambi and soon followed him into the Passionist order.
He became a novice at Monte Argentario in 1801, the first monastery of the Passionists. He received the religious name of "Lorenzo Maria of Saint Francis Xavier" and professed his vows on 20 November 1802, being ordained as a priest on 29 December 1805. The anti-clerical laws of Napoleon Bonaparte 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 the rector of the Passionist mother house in Rome (Ss. Giovanni e Paolo) but spent much of his time preaching missions, his Vice-Rector was Blessed Dominic Barberi. He died at Capranica in Viterbo of natural causes.[1]
Beatification
Lorenzo Maria of St. Francis Xavier was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 1 October 1989.
He is buried in the Passionist church of St. Angelo, Vetralla (Viterbo).[1]