Saint Francis Xavier Bianchi
![[Saint Francis Xavier Bianchi]](saintf1r.jpg "15kb jpg detail of an antique holy card of Saint Francis; please do not write to ask about the image; thanks eugene")
- Also known as
- Apostle of Naples
- Memorial
- 31 January
- Profile
- Studied in Naples, Italy.
Barnabite at age 14 over the objections of his family.
Ordained in 1767.
Served as the president of two colleges.
Noted for his endless ministry to the poor and neglected, his work to prevent girls from turning to prostitution, for his personal austerities, his gift of prophecy, and as a miracle worker.
Reported to have stopped the flow of lava from Mount Vesuvius in 1805.
His health destroyed by overwork, late in life he lost the use of his legs, but continued to work with those whe felt were worse off than himself.
When the Barnabites were expelled from Naples, his health was so poor that he had to be left behind, and he died separated from his brothers.
- Born
- 1743 in Arpino, Italy
- Died
- 31 January 1815 in Naples, Italy of natural causes
- Canonized
- 1951 by Pope Pius XII
- Additional Information
-
Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
Catholic Online
For All The Saints, by Katherine Rabenstein
Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson
- Translate
-
español | français | deutsch | italiano | português
- Readings
- When you hear that I cannot celebrate Mass any more, count me as dead.
- Saint Francis Xavier Bianchi