Saint of the Day: St. Pacificus of Cerano

Franciscan Priest and Missionary (1424-1482)

His life

+ Pacificus (or Pacifico) Ramati was born in Cerano, Italy. Orphaned at a young age, he was educated in a local Benedictine monastery.

+ He entered the Order of Friars Minor (the Franciscans) in 1445 and was ordained a priest in 1452. He earned a doctorate in theology from the Sorbonne in Paris and was considered to be one of the most learned men of his day.

+ For several years, Pacificus traveled throughout Italy preaching missions. He was sent as a missionary to Sardinia, entrusted with the task of helping reform the church there. To support his mission, he founded a religious house in Vigevano, Italy, which served as a sort of mission base.

+ Saint Pacificus died in Sassari, Sardinia, on June 4, 1482. Devotion to “Saint” Pacificus was confirmed in 1745.

Spiritual bonus

On this day, the Church also honors Saint Filippo Smaldone, a priest in Naples who was especially known for his ministry to the deaf. After establishing the Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Hearts, he expanded his ministry to include the blind, orphans, and abandoned children. Known for his love for those on the margins, he died in 1923 and was canonized in 2006.

For prayer and reflection

“Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.”—2 Timothy 4:2

Prayer

O God, who gave increase to your Church through the zeal for religion and apostolic labors of blessed Pacificus, grant, through his intercession, that she may always receive new growth in faith and in holiness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal: Common of Pastors—For Missionaries)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.