Saint
Antonio Maria Pucci
Born: 16th April 1818 Poggiole de Vernio,
Italy
Died: 12th January 1892 Viareggio, Italy
Feast Day: 12th January
Patron Saint: Vernio, Italy
Also Known As: Anthony Mary Pucci, Antony Mary Pucci, Eustacchio
Pucci, Il Curatino
Shrine: Sant’Andrea Viareggio, Italy
Beatified: 22nd June 1952 by Pope Pius XII
Canonised: 9th December 1962 by Pope John XXIII
Saint Antonio was born on 16th April 1818 as Eustacchio
Pucci, in Poggiole de Vernio, Italy, the second of seven children to a poor but
pious family. Although his father was
the sacristan of the local church, he opposed his sons’ interest in religious
life. However, at the age of 18 Antonio
joined the Order of Servites taking the name Antony Mary. He was ordained in 1843 and 3 years later
became the parish priest at Viareggio, Italy where he lived the rest of his
life, serving for 45 years.
As Prior Provincial of the Tuscan Province which he did from 1883 to 1890,
he preferred to be regarded as a serving brother rather than as a superior such
was his humility. He had a special devotion
to the aged, poor, and sick. He became
known as il curation “the little parish priest” by his parishioners.
Antonio established a seaside nursing home for children and his charity knew
no bounds literally giving the shirt off his back to a poor man. He wanted nothing more than to reconcile
sinners with God and bringing peace to those around him. Antonio had many gifts
including discernment of spirit and the gift of healing.
Antonio was seen levitating during ecstasy and had a special devotion to
the Eucharist and our Lady of Sorrows to whom he consecrated his parish. He was stricken with pneumonia on a winters
day after he gave away his coat and died a few days later on 12th January
1892
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