Blessed Archangel of Calatafimi
A member of the illustrious Placentini family in Sicily, Archangel of Calatafimi first lived as a hermit before joining the Order of Friars Minor in Palermo. Having become provincial vicar, he transformed his hermitage in Alcamo into a convent and distinguished himself by his humility, his life of prayer, and his gifts of prophecy. He died in 1460 and his cult was confirmed by Pope Gregory XVI.
Contemporaries
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Guided reading
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BLESSED ARCHANGEL OF CALATAFIMI,
Youth and eremitic life
Coming from the Placentini family, Archangel retired from childhood into the solitude of a cave in Sicily, where he was graced with a Marian apparition.
This holy man, of the illustrious Placentini family, was born in Calatafimi, in the diocese of Mazzara, in Sicily. From his childhood, he showed a marked taste for solitude; he first retired to a cave near a chapel, where he spent his days and nights in prayer and where he had an apparition of the most holy Virgin: then, as the holiness of his life and the report of his miracles brought him many visitors, he hid himself in the vicinity of Alcamo. It was in this retreat that he built, under the protection of Saint Anthony, a small hermitage known only to a few men; he himself lived in a cave that was later called the cave of the Blessed Archangel. When the hermitages were suppressed in Sicily by Pope Martin V, he went to Palermo where he r eceived the h abit of the Franciscans from the hand of Blessed Matthew of Agrigento; he th en returned to Alcamo to complet e his novitiate, and there converted his hermitage into a convent of which he was named provincial vicar.
Franciscan commitment and foundation
Following the suppression of hermitages by Martin V, he joined the Franciscans in Palermo before transforming his hermitage in Alcamo into a convent.
His whole life was filled with the most ardent piety. His humility was such that he would have wished to be known by no one; his food consisted of roots and water. A faithful observer of the rule of the Order, he gave the most salutary example to all who approached him. Gathering all merits, endowed with the gift of miracles and the gift of prophecy, he died in 1460, broken by fatigue and the weight of years.
Virtues and end of life
Recognized for his humility, his rigorous asceticism, and his gifts of prophecy, he died in 1460 after a life of exemplary piety.
The inhabitants of Alc amo obtained that his body be given to them; they buried him in a marble coffin which they placed at the foot of the altar of their church; those of Calatafimi and the neighboring villages also kept a very special devotion to him. Ultimately, his body rested in the convent of the Observa nt Friars Minor, at the foot of the chapel of Saint Francis; Pope G regory XVI fixed his feast day on July 5, when a mass is celebrated in his honor by the Observant Friars Minor and throughout the diocese of Mazzara.
Cult and posterity
His body is venerated in Alcamo and Pope Gregory XVI officialized his cult, setting his liturgical feast day on July 5.
Seraphic Palm.
Hagiographic source
The text is extracted from the work Seraphic Palm.
Seraphic Palm.
Iconography
Signs and attributes
Entities
Narrative network
The names, places, and concepts most present in the entry, weighted by centrality in the text.
The supernatural in their life
The miracles of Blessed Archangel of Calatafimi
Frequently asked questions about Blessed Archangel of Calatafimi
Who was Blessed Archangel of Calatafimi?
A member of the illustrious Placentini family in Sicily, Archangel of Calatafimi first lived as a hermit before joining the Order of Friars Minor in Palermo. Having become provincial vicar, he transformed his hermitage in Alcamo into a convent and distinguished himself by his humility, his life of prayer, and his gifts of prophecy. He died in 1460 and his cult was confirmed by Pope Gregory XVI.
What is Blessed Archangel of Calatafimi the patron saint of?
Patronage of Blessed Archangel of Calatafimi: Calatafimi, Alcamo and Diocese of Mazara.
How is Blessed Archangel of Calatafimi depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Blessed Archangel of Calatafimi is recognizable by: Franciscan habit and cave.
What miracles are attributed to Blessed Archangel of Calatafimi?
3 miracles are attributed to this saint, notably: Vision / apparition, Prophecy / infused knowledge and Sign / wonder.
Which saints were contemporaries of Blessed Archangel of Calatafimi?
Contemporaries include: Saint Peregrinus of Auxerre, Saint Philip Neri, Saint Ignatius of Loyola and Saint Colette (Nicole).
When did Blessed Archangel of Calatafimi die?
Blessed Archangel of Calatafimi died around 1500.
What are the other names of Blessed Archangel of Calatafimi?
Other forms of the name: Arcangelo Placenza.
Who are the relatives of Blessed Archangel of Calatafimi?
Relatives of Blessed Archangel of Calatafimi: Placentini (family).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Retreat in a cave near a chapel from childhood
- Apparition of the Most Holy Virgin
- Retreat near Alcamo and foundation of a hermitage under the protection of Saint Anthony
- Received the Franciscan habit in Palermo from the hands of Blessed Matthew of Agrigento
- Conversion of his hermitage into a convent in Alcamo
- Appointed Vicar Provincial of the Order of Friars Minor