Saintly Saturday - St. Ignatius de Laconi

Vincenzo Peis was born in 1701 to a poor family of farmers. He was the second son of seven children. He worked in his family's fields until the age of 17, when he was struck with a serious illness. Vincenzo vowed that if he were healed, he would become a Fransican and consecrate his life to God. When he was cured however, he waited to fulfill his vow at his father’s command. A few years later, Vincenzo made a similar vow when in another dangerous circumstance. He had lost control of his horse, but when he made his vow, the creature stopped. Certain that he could no longer put off his word, Vincenzo sought admission into the convent in Cagliari, making his profession in 1722 & taking the name Ignatius de Laconi.

Despite his fragile health, Brother Ignatius observed both the spiritual exercises of the rule of the order with perfection. He was apt to quiet and an unrelenting kindness, especially towards the poor and sick. Ignatius never held any office of importance within his order, but always held to an unconditional obedience under his superiors. For forty years Brother Ignatius would serve as a quester of alms, taking the opportunity to teach children and the unlearned whom he passed on the streets. It was noticed that the humble brother would habitually pass over the house of a rich money-lender, known to forgive no debt. The man took offense to this, and when the issue was brought to Ignatius’ superior, he ordered him to beg alms at the money-lender’s house. Without complaint, Ignatius obeyed and returned with a large sack of alms, which, when emptied, was seen to have blood dripping out. Calmly the brother explained it to be the blood of the poor, a consequence of the man's usury and the reason for Ignatuis’s avoidance of the house. Brother Ignatius continued his life of work and charity, being struck blind in the later years of his life. He died on May 11, 1781.

St. Ignatius de Laconi, Pray for Us!