Seraphin of Montegranaro

Seraphin of Montegranaro, O.F.M. Cap. (Italian: Serafino da Montegranaro) (1540—October 12, 1604), was an Italian Capuchin friar who is honored as a Saint by the Catholic Church.

Life

Born Felix (Felice) Rapagnano at Montegranaro, then in the March of Fermo, was the second of four children of poor but pious parents, Gerolamo Rapagnano and Teodora Giovannuzzi. His father was a mason. Because of economic necessity, the family depended on the productivity of all of its members. The eldest son, Silenzio, followed in his father's footsteps, wielding the trowel. The slighter and less manually adept Felix was hired out to a local farmer as a shepherd. Felix enjoyed shepherding since it afforded him a great deal of time and opportunity for prayer. Even at an early age, Felix had an inclination toward silence, seclusion, and prayer, which caused people to take notice of him in admiration.

When their father died, Felix was summoned to return home. His brother understood that Felix lacked the skills of a mason, but hoped to use him as an unskilled laborer. All attempts proved futile. Felix could not even learn how to slake lime. He did learn, however, to put up with the physical and emotional abuse heaped upon him by his irascible brother.

Rapagnano kept in mind stories he had heard about the desert ascetics and of their fasting and penances, and dreamed of becoming like them. He confided in a friend, Luisa Vannucci from Loro Piceno, who encouraged him to enter religious life. She specifically mentioned the Capuchins because these friars had been guests at her house and she was familiar with their reputation for virtue. Immediately, he left for Tolentino and presented himself to the Capuchin Minister Provincial, expecting to be admitted that very day. But such was not the Capuchin custom. When Rapagnano presented himself he was sent home, in all likelihood because of his age and fragile condition. In 1556, Rapagnano repeated his request to the Minister Provincial, who this time accepted him and sent him to the novitiate of the province at Jesi

After completed this year of probation, Rapagnano received the religious name of Seraphin, or Seraphim. Upon his being received into the Order, he remarked, "I have nothing, just a crucifix and a rosary, but with these I hope to benefit the friars and become a saint."

Seraphin was distinguished from the first by his unaffected simplicity, mortification, and obedience as well as charity which, towards the poor, knew no bounds. He had a special devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and to Our Lady.

Seraphin was endowed with the gift of reading the secrets of hearts, and with that of miracles and prophecy. Although unlettered, Seraphin's advice was sought by secular and ecclesiastical dignitaries, and was a fruitful source of virtue to souls.

Externally, Seraphin remained much unchanged: hair always rumpled, clumsy, all thumbs, inept at every job, and, for the most part, illiterate. But his holiness was easily recognizable. At times, he was discouraged by the ridicule of his Capuchin brothers. Seraphin would regain his composure and perspective through prayer. He explained, "When I entered religious life I was a poor, unskilled laborer, lacking both talent and potential. I remained as I was, and this caused so many humiliations and rebukes which the devil used as opportunities to tempt me to leave religious life and retreat to some desert, withdrawing into myself. I entrusted myself to the Lord, and one night I heard a voice coming from the tabernacle say, "To serve God you must die to yourself and accept adversity, of whatever type." So I accepted them and resolved to recite a rosary for anyone who caused me trouble. Then I heard the voice from the tabernacle say, 'Your prayers for those who mortify you are very pleasing to me. In exchange, I am ready to grant you many graces.'And the wonders worked at his hands were plentiful. In fact, people began calling him a saint, a healer and a prophet. Whatever objects touched him seemed to work some prodigious sign.

Seraphin was assigned as to serve variously as a porter or questor at various friaries throughout the March, but most of his religious life was spent at Ascoli Piceno, where, after his death, his picture could be found in every home and even on the outside of public buildings, displayed as if it were a noble shield or coat of arms.

The ancient Capuchin custom was to keep rooms near the porter's office available for the use of travelers and pilgrims. At whatever hour of the night, Seraphin would answer the door. Many witnesses relayed stories of how they had sought refuge at the Capuchin friary after the city gates had been closed for the night, and were warmly welcomed by Seraphin. Seraphin spent entire nights in church. Friars testified that, after everyone else had gone to bed, they would often hear Seraphin walking toward the church to spend the night in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. There he was heard praying, "Peace, Lord, I ask peace for so-and-so." Seraphin once confided that the reason he spent so much of the night in church was because, in his room, he was greatly tempted against chastity, even in his old age.

Seraphin's reputation captured the attention of all, including the Dukes of Bavaria and Parma, the Peopli nobles of Bologna, and Cardinal Bandini. To avoid having people kiss his hand or tunic to show their respect, Seraphin would carry a crucifix with him, offering it for them to kiss.

Although he was not totally illiterate, Seraphin could speak about God more eloquently than any theologian. Even the bishop of Ascoli, the eminent theologian, Cardinal Bernerio, sought Seraphin's advice in especially difficult cases.

With himself, Seraphin was austere. Only once in his life did he accept a new religious habit, and then, only out of obedience. For 40 continuous years, all he ate was soup or salad. In keeping with the spirituality prevalent at the time, Seraphin had a personal devotion of serving as many Masses as possible.

Rich in human feeling, Seraphin possessed a great sense of humor. Once, a woman asked him if she would give birth to a boy or a girl. Seraphin attempted to avoid answering. But the woman insisted, saying, "How shall I know what name to choose?" Chuckling, Seraphin responded, "As far as that goes, choose Ursula and companions," indicating that throughout her life the woman would give birth to a succession of girls.

Seraphin once healed a bishop who was at death's door. The bishop told him, "I made a long journey and was hoping to enter paradise. But, thanks to you, they shut the door in my face and threw me down the stairs, so here I am back in this world."

Veneration

Seraphin died at Ascoli Piceno in the early afternoon of October 12, 1604. Even before the burial, his first biographer put pen to paper. He was canonized by Pope Clement XIII on 16 July 1767. Pope Clement canonized Seraphin, together with John Cantius, Joseph Calasanz, Joseph of Cupertino, Jerome Emiliani and Jane Frances de Chantal. In the papal bull of canonization, the illiterate and physically clumsy Capuchin was acclaimed as a person who "knew how to read and understand the great book of life which is our Savior, Jesus Christ. For that reason, he deserves to be listed among Christ's principal disciples."

Serafin's feast day is celebrated on 12 October. His tomb is in the Capuchin friary at Ascoli Piceno. A church at San Lorenzo Nuovo is dedicated to him.

References

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "St. Seraphin of Montegranaro". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton.