Charles of Sezze
Charles of Sezze (19 October 1613 – 6 January 1670) - born Giancarlo Marchioni - was an Italian professed religious from the Order of Friars Minor. He became a religious despite the opposition of his parents who wanted him to become a priest and he led an austere life doing menial tasks such as acting as a porter and gardener; he was also a noted writer. He was also held in high esteem across the Lazio region with noble families like the Colonna and Orsini praising him and seeking his counsel as did popes such as Innocent X and Clement IX.
His beatification was celebrated in 1882 while Pope Pius XII approved his canonization in 1958; but the pope died before he could canonize the friar so his successor Pope John XXIII did so on 12 April 1959.
Patron saint of Sezze; Roman Catholic Diocese of Latina-Terracina-Sezze-Priverno; Diocese of Latina-Terracina-Sezze-Priverno
In the Martyrology
- January 6 Saint Carlo da Sezze, Franciscan religious