We should mention the hidden life of Saint Pacificus (1653 – 1721), a Catholic priest in Italy who lived a hidden and mortified life, in part since he is the patron saint of those suffering from chronic pain, of whom there are many, perhaps some reading these few words.
He was born with the providential name Carlo Antonio Divini, and left an orphan at three years old. A priest uncle took the young boy in, and offered him a pious, if rather strict, upbringing. Carlo came through not only intact, but full of the love of God and neighbour. In 1670, he joined the Franciscans, taking the name ‘Pacifico’, and spent his life in unstinting work for souls, preaching, hearing confessions, offering missions, and caring for the poor and stricken. He was renowned as a miracle worker, for which he took no credit. His patronage of those in pain stems from the fact that he himself born such suffering for most of his life, quietly and patiently, persevering in his work.
Father Pacifico died peacefully – and fittingly, given his name – on this 24th of September in 1721, and was immediately hailed as a saint, with crowds at his funeral. He was canonized by Pope Gregory XVI on May 26th – the feast of his fellow Italian, Saint Philip Neri – in 1839, with his relics on display in the sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie in San Severino.
Ora pro nobis, Saint Pacifico!
