⛪ Blessed Anthony Grassi

⛪ Saint of the Day : 17 December

Antony Grassi was born at Fermo in the Marche of Italy on 13th November, 1592. From his earliest days he led a simple and austere life, frequenting the church of the Oratory in his home town. He entered the Congregation of Fermo on 11th October, 1609, and was ordained priest on 17th December, 1617. Antony exercised his priestly ministry in instructing the ignorant, comforting the weak, visiting the sick and imprisoned, helping the troubled and encouraging youth in the ways of holiness.

In the Holy Year of 1625 he went as a pilgrim to Rome and visited with great devotion the basilicas and catacombs. An especial highlight would have been his visit to S. Philip’s shrine and the places associated with the Saint’s life. Because of Antony’s apostolic life and his great love for the Oratory his community elected him as their Superior in 1635 and he was to hold that office for the rest of his life. He was a man of deep prayer and was privileged to receive many mystical experiences. People sought his advice, especially through the confessional. It was here, he said, that the priest should always show compassion and seek above all to help and comfort the repentant sinner.

Antony was called ‘The Angel of Peace’ because of the gift he had of reconciling enemies. He was also called ‘The Father of the Poor’, because he continually gave away all his possessions, even his clothes, to those in need. He cultivated a great devotion to Our Lady – the ‘Mother of our House’, as he called her – and on numerous occasions went on pilgrimage to Her shrine at Loreto. It was here, on 4th September, 1621, that he survived being struck by lightning – his clothes were all burnt, but he himself was unscathed. Popes Clement X and Innocent XI held him in the highest regard, as did the Oratorian Cardinal Colloredo, who was to be responsible for beginning the Process for his beatification.

As his end drew near, he repeated continually to the members of his community: ‘What a beautiful thing it is to die as a son of S. Philip.’ Surrounded by his loving brethren and with the Archbishop of Fermo present, he died on 13th December, 1671. His reputation for holiness, evident during his lifetime, grew rapidly after his death, and devotion to him spread through Italy and Germany and many miracles were reported through his intercession. Antony was beatified by Pope Leo XIII on 30th September, 1900. Since 1966 his body has rested under the High Altar of the Carmelite Church in Fermo. His feast is kept each year on 15th December.

Blessed Antony Grassi, Pray for us!

More Info :

📗 American Catholic 📗 BeliefNet 📗 Birmingham Oratory 📗 Catholic Fire 📗 Education in Virtue 📗 Franciscan Media

Related Post

The Blesseds

• ⛪ Blessed Zofia Czeska-Maciejowska: Mother of Mercy and Education
• ⛪ Saint Lodovico Pavoni: Apostle of Youth and Work
• ⛪ Blessed Giuseppe Girotti: A Martyr of Charity and Truth
• ⛪ Saint Katharine Drexel - Foundress
• ⛪ Blessed Giovanna Maria Bonomo - Nun, Mystic
• ⛪ Blessed Christopher of Milan
• ⛪ Blessed Luigi Variara - Priest
• ⛪ Blessed Andrew of Montereale - Priest
• ⛪ Blessed Andrés Hibernón Real - Religious
• ⛪ Blessed Savina Petrilli
• ⛪ Blessed James Oldo
• ⛪ Blessed Arcangelo Canetoli - Priest
• ⛪ Blessed Joachim Piccolomini
• ⛪Blessed Caesar de Bus – Apostle of Catechesis and Shepherd of Souls
• ⛪ Blessed Peter Gonzalez
• ⛪ Blessed Lucien Botovasoa - Layman; Martyr
• ⛪ Blessed Margaret of Castello - Religious
• ⛪ Blessed Scubilion Rousseau
• ⛪ Blessed Symforian Ducki - Martyr
• ⛪ Blessed Angelo Carletti
• ⛪ Blessed Boniface Zukowski
• ⛪ Blessed Katarzyna Faron
• ⛪ Blessed Antony of Pavoni
• ⛪ Blessed Julian of Saint Augustine
• ⛪ Saint Herman Joseph

SAINT OF THE DAY

• ⛪ Saint Luigi Scrosoppi of Udine
• ⛪ Saint John Payne: Martyr of England’s Faith
• ⛪ Saint Francis Xavier
• Saint Nicetius of Lyon: A Holy Bishop Who Trusted God
• ⛪ Blessed Zofia Czeska-Maciejowska: Mother of Mercy and Education
• ⛪ Saint Lodovico Pavoni: Apostle of Youth and Work
• ⛪ Blessed Giuseppe Girotti: A Martyr of Charity and Truth
• ⛪ Blessed Karl of Austria
• ⛪ Saint Mary of Egypt: From Sinner to Desert Saint
• ⛪ Saint Hugh of Châteauneuf: A Holy Shepherd of Faith
• ⛪ Saint of the Day : January
• ⛪ Saint of the Day : June
• ⛪ Saint Simon Marie Antoine Just Ranfer De Bretenieres - Priest
• ⛪ Saint Sylvester of Assisi
• ⛪ Saint Conon the Gardener
• ⛪ Saint John of the Cross
• ⛪ Saint Peter of Pappacarbone - Bishop of Policastro
• ⛪ Saint Adrian and Natalia of Nicomedia - Martyrs
• ⛪ Saint Casimir of Poland - Confessor
• ⛪ Saint Luke Casali - Monk & Priest
• ⛪ Saint Angela of the Cross Guerrero y González - Virgin and Foundress
• ⛪ Saint Chad of Mercia
• ⛪ Saint Katharine Drexel - Foundress
• ⛪ Saint Agnes of Bohemia - Princess, Philanthropist and Abbess
• ⛪ Blessed Giovanna Maria Bonomo - Nun, Mystic