Ignatius of Laconi

Ignazio da Laconi , born Francesco Ignazio Vincenzo Peis in Sardinia, (10 December 1701 - 11 May 1781), was a Capuchin friar. His conquering a serious illness prompted him to consecrate his life to God and therefore entered the religious life though not as an ordained priest. Peis was better known in Sardinia for his humble demeanor coupled with his concern for those who were poor. He mingled with all the people he met and was generous towards those who were ill. But he became known as a wonder worker, and it was claimed that he had performed 121 miracles during his life.

Ignazio da Laconi's grave soon became a place where miracles reportedly flourished, and this was one dimension towards the opening of his cause for canonization. He was beatified on 16 June 1940 and was canonized in 1951. His body in Cagliari is still incorrupt.

Life Vincenzo Peis was born on 10 December 1701 in Sardinia, the second of seven children of poor peasants Mattia Peis Cadello and Anna Maria Sanna Casu. He was baptized as Francesco Ignazio Vincenzo since he was born of a difficult pregnancy in which his mother invoked the intercession of Francis of Assisi. This time, his parents did not raise objections to his becoming a friar and granted him their blessing. In his childhood, he often called the local church his "home" and took Lawrence of Brindisi as his personal role model. Despite his infirmities, his ardor allowed him to attend the spiritual exercises of the order and to excel in perfection of his observance of the order's Rule. From 1722 until 1737, he worked at the house's weaving shed and from 1737 onwards was an alms beggar.

Veneration The cause for beatification opened after he died in 1844 (diocesan level) and there were numerous reports of miracles attributed to him occurring at his tomb. The cause commenced and investigated the life and works of the friar, the positio, was sent to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in 1868) while the confirmation of his heroic virtue enabled Pope Pius IX - on 26 May 1869 - to title Ignatius as Venerable. The confirmation of two miracles attributed to him (occurring after death) enabled Pope Pius XII to preside over his beatification on 16 June 1940. The ratification of an additional two miracles (occurring after beatification) allowed for Pius XII to canonize the friar on 21 October 1951 in Saint Peter's Basilica. The positio compiled during the cause noted that there were 121 miracles attributed to Ignatius during his life, with an additional 86 reported after his death.

Ignatius is known as a patron saint of beggars and students. On 11 May 2007, he was proclaimed as the patron saint of the Province of Oristano. On 11 May 2014, a statue dedicated to him was unveiled in Sestu.