12 January – St Anthony Mary Pucci OSM

[Weedy]

12 January – St Anthony Mary Pucci OSM

Religious Priest of the Servite Order, known as “the Father of the
Poor”, Apostle of prayer, Mystic, Eucharistic and Marian devotee –
born Eustance Pucci on 16 April 1818 in Poggiole di Vernio, Italy as
Eustacchio Pucci and died on 12 January 1892 at Viareggio, Italy.

Anthony Mary Pucci was born of fine Christian parents at Poggiole, in
the diocese of Pistoia, Italy, in 1819, he was the second of nine
children. After a youth marked by prayer and study, his devotion to
Mary, the Mother of God, caused him to seek entrance in the Order of
Servants of Mary at the age of 18. He made his novitiate at Florence
and studied philosophy and theology at Monte Senario for six years,
where he also made his solemn profession. In 1844, a year after his
ordination to the priesthood, Anthony was sent to Viareggio as
assistant pastor. In 1847 he was named pastor and for forty-five
years, until his death, he fulfilled this responsibility with great
love, giving an example of a pure and fruitful life, singularly
dedicated to God and his flock. Notwithstanding pastoral duties he
continued his studies and in 1850 received the title of Master in
Theology.

For many years Father Anthony was prior of the community in Viareggio
and also prior provincial of the Tuscan Province. This was a period of
hostility between Church and civil authorities due to laws passed
against religious orders and congregations. In these offices, mindful
of the words of Saint Augustine, he preferred to be loved rather than
feared by his brothers and was happy to serve with love rather than
exercise power.

Anthony was characterised by humility of spirit, reserve in speaking,
abiding contact with God and love of poverty. He dedicated himself
completely to his priestly ministry in order to lead all to Christ; he
knew his parishioners individually, he showed them fatherly love,
offering them the word of God and supporting them with his advice and
direction. His charity to the needy knew no limits – he even went so
far as to give a poor man the shirt off his back and because of this
he was called “the Father of the Poor”.

He was a faithful minister of the sacrament of penance, dedicating
several hours a day to this work. Of greatest importance to him was
reconciling sinners to God, comforting the afflicted, forgiving those
who had offended him, uniting those separated by hatred and violence,
bringing peace to families, and assisting the sick and dying. His love
for others was particularly visible during the cholera epidemic of
1854-1856, when day and night, almost without rest, he worked with the
sick. God gave him many gifts, including discernment of spirits and
the gift of healing. He was seen at times in ecstasy or raised from
the ground in prayer.

Father Anthony founded a congregation of Servite sisters in his parish
for the education of youth and he directed them with particular
concern. He was a pioneer in establishing parish associations for
young children, teenagers, men and women in order to intensify the
Christian life of his community. He promoted the St Vincent de Paul
Society, recently introduced into Italy from France and the work for
the Propagation of the Faith. He founded the first permanent seaside
home for the care of children. In this work of the apostolate he was
supported and animated by his great love for the Eucharist and Our
Lady of Sorrows to whom he solemnly consecrated his parish.

He was stricken with pneumonia on a winter’s day after he gave his
coat to a poor man on the street. A few days later, 12 January 1892,
having received the sacraments, he died a holy death.
The entire city, including even those hostile to the Church, wept at
the death of their beloved pastor.
At the end of the first session of the Second Vatican Council St Pope
John XXIII, on 9 December 1962, added his name to the list of saints.
The body of Saint Anthony Pucci is venerated in the Basilica of St
Andrew in Viareggioa.

https://anastpaul.com/2019/01/12/


Bible Quote:
For thus saith the Lord God the Holy One of Israel: If you return and
be quiet, you shall be saved: in silence and in hope shall your
strength be. [Isa 30:15] DRB

Saint Quote:
This thought alone would save anyone from falling into sin: to
remember that God is always present.
--St. Clement


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Consecration of the Sick to Mary

O kind and good Mother,
whose own soul was pierced by the sword of sorrow,
look upon us while, in our sickness,
we arraign ourselves beside you
on the Calvary where your Jesus hangs.

Dowered with the high grace of suffering,
and hopeful of fulfilling in our own flesh
what is wanting in our sharing of Christ's passion,
on behalf of his Mystical Body, the Church,
we consecrate to you ourselves and our pain.
We pray that you will place them
on that Altar of the Cross to which Jesus is affixed.
May they be little victims of propitiation for our salvation,
for the salvation of all peoples.

O Mother of Sorrows, accept this consecration.
Strengthen our hopeful hearts,
that as partakers of Christ's sufferings
We may also share in his comfort now and for evermore.
Amen