Blessed Antonio Franco: priest, bishop, penitent, ascetic

Summary:

Antonio was born on September 26, 1585, in Naples (Italy) into a noble family of French origin. He was the third of six children. His father, Orlando Franco, was a wealthy lawyer; his mother, Anna Pisano, came from the Neapolitan aristocracy. In both material terms and in terms of affection, little Antonio lacked nothing. He received a solid education worthy of a gentleman. His teachers were quick to spot his keen intelligence and astonishing memory.

He was such a brilliant student that at the age of seventeen, he already had a degree in canon law and civil law. Although he was interested in justice, he wanted to give his life to God by becoming a priest. But he was too young, and while waiting to be admitted to the priesthood, his father sent him to Rome to continue and complete his studies in theology and Sacred Scripture. His time there was both studious and spiritual. His vocation became clearer and more intense.

After Rome, young Antonio was invited to Madrid. His father invited him to the court of Philip III, where he spent one of the most fruitful periods of his life, not by remaining in this privileged environment, but by taking fruitful and successful initiatives on behalf of the city's poor, the sick and families victimized by usurers. His closeness and popularity with the downtrodden, beggars, children, drunkards and the insane earned him an excellent reputation, even in the royal entourage.

By the age of twenty-five, he had passed his exams with flying colours and had completed his training in the disciplines required of future priests. At that time, diocesan seminaries did not yet exist. The Council of Trent, which ended in 1563, had decided to provide a solid training for clerics: Antonio was the perfect example of a "Tridentine" priest. He was ordained to the priesthood on January 14, 1611. Almost immediately afterwards, he was appointed royal chaplain to Philip III. It was an enviable position that aroused jealousy. But he cared nothing for human affairs. He divided his time - days and nights - between his court ministry and helping the underprivileged. Some people noticed that he never seem to rest.

After a decade spent in the service of God, the king and the poor, on November 12, 1616, he became councillor and chaplain to the Kingdom of Sicily. He hesitated and asked himself how he could continue to exercise charity in this new role. He prayed over it and eventually accepted the charge. Philip III offered him the episcopal see of Santa Lucia del Mela, a prelature subject to the Holy See (today in the archdiocese of Messina). Pope Paul V confirmed this choice on February 11, 1617. Antonio was consecrated bishop and made his solemn entry into Santa Lucia del Mela six days later.

As bishop, while his body showed signs of fatigue, he redoubled his prayer, abstinence and charity. He personally supervised the training of his priests, visited the whole of his diocese without a crew or escort, and received anyone who asked to come to his home, even without an appointment. He fasted from food, or ate just bread and water, often sleeping on the ground on a makeshift mattress. During a drought that lasted for weeks, the inhabitants of the nearby village of Santa Filippo del Mela visited him to ask him to pray to the Lord. Deeply moved, he told them to trust in God. On their return to the village, they saw Antonio in the "Basso" neighbourhood, which surprised them, as no-one had seen the prelate leave his house. When they caught up with him, Antonio showed them a spring of abundant water. In memory of this miracle, a statue of him was erected.

Antonio Franco died on September 2, 1626, at the age of 42. Those present witnessed an unusual phenomenon at his death: still breating softly softly, he turned his eyes towards the sky, which was gloomy that day, but the second he breathed his last, rays of sunlight illuminated his room.

Antonio Franco's tomb immediately became a place of pilgrimage, and miracles began taking place. The Sicilian people came to pray and confide in their humble Shepherd. In 1633, during work on the cathedral, a rumour spread that his remains had been desecrated. On the evening of July 7, 1633, the religious and civil authorities had the grave opened. The body was found to be completely incorrupt. His life seemed to continue beyond the grave.

In 1656, a second exhumation took place, this time in the presence of a large number of faithful. Nothing had changed: the skin was that of a living man. There was one striking detail: the blessed man was holding a fresh, green stalk of basil in one hand. A human cause couldn't be established. Since then, an artist has depicted this plant on the shrine.

In 1721, a third exhumation led to the same result. This time, it was ordered because of a private revelation: the Blessed had appeared in a dream several times to a Sicilian noblewoman.

The tomb was last opened on June 5, 1913. The crystal urn is now kept in the Santa Lucia chapel in the cathedral.

Every year since August 1919, on the anniversary of his death, the town brass band plays a free concert. Blessed Antonio Franco's intercession is credited with saving a ship in danger in the Aeolian Islands. A decree authenticating a miracle of healing was issued on December 20, 2012, paving the way for his beatification, which was celebrated in Messina (Italy) by Cardinal Angelo Amato on September 2, 2013.

On the following September 15, a solemn procession brought the body of the new Blessed back to the Cathedral of Saint Lucia (Santa Lucia del Mela), where it was placed near the high altar.

Beyond reasons to believe:

All aspects of Blessed Antonio Franco's life shine with the marks of virtue and selflessness. He was a living example of dedication to his faith, with a profound commitment to penance and the well-being of others.

Going further:

Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Commentarium Officiale by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Typis Vaticanis, October 2012, p. 846-848 (official decree in Latin).

More information:

• On the website of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, the article on "Antonio Franco, a minister of God and a man of justice".
• Biography of Bishop Antonio Franco, parish of the Holy Family, Messina (in Italian).