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Nicola Saggio

Nicola Saggio was an Italian Roman Catholic professed oblate of the Order of Minims. He is remembered for his devout life and his eventual canonization, which occurred in 2014. He is the patron of his home village of Longobardi.

Country Or Region
Italy

Key Facts

  • Nicola Saggio was born Giovanni Battista Clemente on January 6, 1650, in Longobardi, Italy.
  • He joined the Franciscan Minims, taking the name Nicolas, despite his parents' opposition.
  • He served in various locations for the order, including Rome, where he assisted the parish priest and acted as doorkeeper.
  • He made a pilgrimage to Loreto in 1683 to pray for the liberation of Vienna from the Turks.
  • He died of pleurisy in Rome on February 3, 1709.
  • He was beatified on September 17, 1786, and canonized as a saint on November 23, 2014.
Also Known As

Giovanni Battista Clemente Saggio, Nicolas

Birth Year
1650
Death Year
1709
Manner of Death
Venerated In
Role Type
Patronage

Longobardi

Religious Order
Canonized By
Pope Francis
Canonization Year
2014
Beatified By
Pope Pius VI
Beatification Year
1786
Relics Location
Church of San Francesco di Paola ai Monti in Rome

About Nicola Saggio

Nicola Saggio, born Giovanni Battista Clemente on January 6, 1650, in Longobardi, Italy, was an Italian Roman Catholic professed oblate of the Order of Minims. His parents, Fulvio Saggio and Aurelia Saggio née Pizzini, raised him with strong moral and spiritual values, though they lacked the means to provide him with formal studies. Drawn to the religious life after visiting a Minim convent, he joined the Franciscan Minims at the Paola monastery, adopting the name "Nicolas," despite his parents' initial opposition.

Life and Ministry

Nicola Saggio served in various posts for the Minims, including at San Marco Argentano, Montalto, and Cosenza. He was later recalled to Paola to serve as secretary to the provincial. In 1681, he was sent to Rome to assist the parish priest and function as doorkeeper at the San Francesco di Paola ai Monti. A significant spiritual event in his life occurred in 1683 when he made a pilgrimage on foot to Loreto, praying for the liberation of Vienna from the Turks through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He returned to his hometown of Longobardi in 1694 and died of pleurisy in Rome on February 3, 1709.

Sainthood

Nicola Saggio's path to sainthood began with his declaration as Venerable on March 17, 1771, by Pope Clement XIV, who confirmed his life of heroic virtue. His beatification took place on September 17, 1786, in Saint Peter's Basilica, presided over by Pope Pius VI, following the approval of two miracles attributed to his intercession. After his beatification, he was made the patron of Longobardi. The final miracle required for his canonization occurred in 1938, involving a mason from Longobardi who miraculously escaped injury after falling from a scaffold. The diocesan investigation and subsequent approvals by various Vatican congregations and medical boards paved the way for his canonization. Pope Francis officially canonized Nicola Saggio as a saint on November 23, 2014, in Saint Peter's Square, after approving the miracle on April 3, 2014. The postulator at the time of his canonization was the Rev. Ottavio Laino. His relics are venerated in the Church of San Francesco di Paola ai Monti in Rome.

Source: Wikipedia ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Nicola Saggio born and where?

Nicola Saggio was born Giovanni Battista Clemente on January 6, 1650, in Longobardi, a small town on the Tyrrhenian coast in Italy. His parents were Fulvio Saggio and Aurelia Saggio née Pizzini.

What religious order did Nicola Saggio join?

Nicola Saggio joined the Franciscan Minims, taking the name Nicolas. He was a professed oblate of the Order of Minims.

When was Nicola Saggio beatified and canonized?

Nicola Saggio was beatified on September 17, 1786, by Pope Pius VI. He was later canonized as a saint by Pope Francis on November 23, 2014.

What is Nicola Saggio remembered for?

Nicola Saggio is remembered for his devout life as a member of the Order of Minims and his eventual canonization. He is also the patron saint of his native village of Longobardi.

Where are Nicola Saggio's relics kept?

The relics of Nicola Saggio are kept in the Church of San Francesco di Paola ai Monti in Rome.