Antonio Maria Pucci

Antonio Maria Pucci
Born (1819-04-16)16 April 1819
Vernio
Died 12 January 1892(1892-01-12) (aged 72)
Viareggio
Beatified 12 June 1952 by Pope Pius XII
Canonized 9 December 1962, Vatican City by Pope John XXIII
Feast 12 January

Antonio Maria Pucci, O.S.M., (16 April 1819, Vernio, Province of Prato - 12 January 1892) was an Italian friar and priest, who was proclaimed a saint by Pope John XXIII on 9 December 1962.

Born Eustace Pucci to a poor sacristan and his wife, he felt called to life in a religious order early in life. In this, he was opposed by his father, despite his own career as a church worker. Overcoming this opposition, Eustace entered the Servite Order at age 18, at which time he was given the name Anthony Mary (Antonio Maria).

In 1843, at age 28, he was assigned to serve as the local pastor of the town of Viareggio. He went on to serve in this post for the next 48 years, until his death. Known as il curatino (the Little Pastor), he took care of the poor, the sick and elderly people, especially during two epidemics. In 1853, he founded an institution for the education of children and initiated the first seaside hostel for sick and poor children in Viareggio. He also helped found the Holy Childhood Society.

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References

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