Sebastian Maggi
| Blessed Sebastian Maggi | |
|---|---|
| Priest | |
| Born | 1414 Brescia, Italy |
| Died | 1496 Genoa, Italy |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 15 April 1760 by Pope Clement XIII (cultus confirmed) |
| Feast | 16 December |
Blessed Sebastian Maggi (1414 - 1496) was a popular Italian Dominican priest and confessor to Girolamo Savonarola and Catherine of Genoa. His very name comes from the Greek word "Sebastos" (venerable one).
Childhood
He was born in Brescia, to the noble Maggi family. He is related to Bishop Berardo Maggi, who was also Duke and Count of the city.[1][2][3]
Career
Sebastian began his work at 15, when he joined the Dominican Order. His intelligence was quickly noticed, and he received a Master's degree in Theology.[4]
Over time, he rose through the ranks and became the superior of several religious houses. He practiced corporal mortification and was strict in discipline. He would say to his subordinates: "When you have committed a fault, come to me, not as Prior, but as your father. If you will not have me as a father, you will find me a severe judge."[5]
He appointed Girolamo Savonarola to the position of Novice Master, setting that famous Florentine friar on his own path to fame.[5]
In his time, he was regarded as one of the greatest preachers in Italy.
Investigation of Savonarola
Sebastian was chosen by Pope Alexander VI to investigate revelations Savonarola claimed were given to him directly from God. Savonarola appealed the choice, thinking that Sebastian, as Vicar-General of the Lombard Congregation, would be biased and try to take over his recently-emancipated San Marco facility in Florence. The Pope, however, had already decided to give the facility back to the Congregation, making Sebastian Savonarola's canonical superior.[6]
Death
He died in 1496. He is buried at the Dominican Santa Maria di Castello complex in Genoa.
Additional Links
- Blessed Sebastian Maggi (SQPN)
References
- ↑ Blessed Sebastian Maggi (Acta Sanctorum)
- ↑ Bishop Berardo Maggi. Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
- ↑ Brescia. The Catholic Encyclopedia. NewAdvent.org.
- ↑ Blessed Sebastian Maggi the Priest (Google Translate) (Original)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Dominican Saints 101: Bl. Sebastian Maggi
- ↑ Michael de la Bedoyere, The Meddlesome Friar and the Wayward Pope, p. 150-153
