Was a leader of crowds has converted thousands of sinners.He made countless wonders and restored the dead to life with the help and intercession of the Lord who gave him the gift of bi-and prediction. (Detail of painting "Mancinelli)First of eleven children, St. Francis De Geronimo was born in Grottaglie December 17, 1642 by Leonardo and Gentilesca Gravina. Theatre of the games were a boy the streets near his home, then incorporated in the sanctuary that Grottaglie wanted to dedicate in 1838.
It was a cheerful and friendly child who liked to laugh and tell jokes with a predilection for the fireworks that sometimes makes himself, making crackling then to the delight of his companions. The natural inclination for games, typical of children of every age, did not neglect the study of the catechism or compassion for the less fortunate. Celebrated in popular memory Grottaglie, was the wonder of bread, liberally bestowed by Francis, the father rather than empty the cupboard filled even more. His was a wealthy family, because his father had Gianleonardo homes, vineyards and a tannery just outside Port Antonio, in the district of the tanners, even today, is called "cunzaturi them", though activity has disappeared from time. At the age of ten he went to boarding school near the community of San Gaetano, who settled in the church of St. Matthew (now Madonna del Lume) in 1641. The lack of high school led to Francis Seminary of Taranto, where he followed a course of five years. In the summer of 1665 he moved to Naples to attend the University and Director of the Jesuit Seminary and March 20, 1666 was ordained a priest. Thus began his "Mission of Naples which lasted 40 years.
A true "marathon of the Lord" did not expect that sinners go to him, but he went to look them in the most infamous neighborhoods and squares, milling walk hundreds of miles, preaching and spreading the word of the Lord. This frail Jesuit, by immense faith, was a leader of crowds has turned thousands of sinners. He made countless wonders and restored the dead to life with the help and intercession of the Lord who gave him the gift of bi-and prediction. In 1707, after 40 years, returns to Grottaglie for a "mission" in the church and took the Matrix introduced the cult of St Cyrus in our town. The May 11, 1716 Father Francis, after walking so much, concludes his journey among men aged 74. Canonized in 1839 by Gregory XVI, the mortal remains of Saint returning to the birthplace, in Grottaglie, in 1945.
Cultural Association IL BAGATTO – Via Madonna Del Lume 43 – Grottaglie (Ta) – texts by Anna Montella
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