Saint Charles of Sezze
Saint Charles of Sezze (born Giovanni Marchese, October 22, 1613 AD in Sezze, Lazio, Italy; died January 6, 1670 AD in Rome, Italy) was an Italian Franciscan lay brother known for his intense mystical life, his visions of the Passion of Christ, and the miraculous wound he received during the celebration of Mass — a ray of light from the Host that pierced his chest. He was a friend and spiritual advisor to several popes. He was beatified in 1882 and canonized in 1959. His feast day is January 6.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Charles of Sezze
| Saint Charles of Sezze | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | January 06 |
| Profession | Franciscan lay brother; mystic; spiritual director |
| Rel. Affiliation | Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans) — Conventual |
| Patronage | Sezze; Franciscan lay brothers; mystics |
| Attributes | Franciscan habit; wound on chest (the mystical wound from the Host); ray of light |
| Birthplace | Sezze, Latina Province, Lazio, Italy |
| Death Place | Rome, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Church of San Francesco a Ripa, Trastevere, Rome — his body is preserved in a glass reliquary |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Franciscan calendar) |
| Historic Class | January 6 |
Biography
Giovanni Marchese was born in 1613 in Sezze (in the Lepini Hills of Lazio) into a simple peasant family. He wanted to become a Franciscan from boyhood. After being rejected initially due to poor health and illiteracy, he was accepted as a lay brother of the Conventual Franciscans and received the name Charles.
He worked as a cook, porter, gardener, and questor (begging alms for the friars) at various friaries in Rome and the surrounding region, including at San Pietro in Montorio and San Francesco a Ripa in Trastevere. He never sought any other role. His humility was striking; his mystical life was extraordinary.
He wrote several spiritual works (dictated, since he was illiterate as a young man though he later learned to write), including an autobiography, Le grandezze delle misericordie di Dio (The Greatness of the Mercies of God), in which he describes his visions of the Passion of Christ in great detail.
The most notable event of his mystical life occurred during Mass at San Pietro in Montorio: while he was attending the celebration of the Eucharist (not celebrating it himself, as he was a lay brother), a ray of light from the elevated Host pierced his chest and left a wound. This was examined by physicians and attested. Popes Alexander VII, Clement IX, and Clement X received him in spiritual audience; he was a respected voice in Rome.
He died on January 6, 1670, at San Francesco a Ripa, Trastevere, Rome. Pope Leo XIII beatified him in 1882; Pope John XXIII canonized him in 1959.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Sezze, Latina Province, Lazio, Italy
Death location: Rome, Italy
Notable location: The Franciscan church in Trastevere where he lived and ministered; his body is enshrined here (San Francesco a Ripa, Trastevere, Rome, Italy)
Notable location: His birthplace in the Lepini Mountains south of Rome; a museum and sanctuary to him is located here (Sezze, Latina Province, Lazio, Italy)
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Dynamic content
Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Saint Charles of Sezze have been added to the database yet.
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| January 18 Saint Charles of Sezze | Under 5 minutes | Breski1 |
| St. Charles of Sezze | 5–15 minutes | Daily Lives of Franciscan Saints |
| Jan 18 - St. Charles of Sezze - Franciscan Saint of the Day | 5–15 minutes | Franciscan Media |
| Saint of the Day | Saint Charles of Sezze | Under 5 minutes | Holy Fatima |
| Prayer to St. Charles of Sezze / Feast Day: Jan. 18, 2022 | Under 5 minutes | Joy of Heaven |
| St. Charles of Sezze | 5–15 minutes | Radio Immaculata |
Shrines
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Known shrines
- Church of San Francesco a Ripa, Trastevere, Rome — his body in a glass reliquary in the Cappella Barberi.
- Sanctuary of Saint Charles of Sezze, Sezze, Lazio — a sanctuary and museum in his birthplace.
Feast day
January 6
Veneration
Saint Charles of Sezze is venerated with a feast day on January 6. He is particularly honored in the Franciscan Order and in his home city of Sezze.
Prayers
Authored
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Intercessory
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