Today, May 11, is the memorial of Saint Ignatius of Laconi.
Born in Sardinia in 1701, Ignatius was the son of poor farmers Mattia Peis Cadello and Anna Maria Sanna Casu. Ignatius grew up helping his parents in the fields.
When he was seriously sick, he promised to become a Capuchin friar if he got well. He did get well, but he forgot his promise. He was riding his horse when the animal panicked. The accident was averted when he called on St. Francis of Assisi for help. After this, he fulfilled his promise.
For the next 40 years, Ignatius’ role was to beg for food and donations for his community. He took the time to visit the sick and cheer up the lonely. He was a peace-maker, a sought-after spiritual adviser, and an effective converter of sinners.
A wealthy and dishonest money-lender was offended because Ignatius never stopped by his house. The usurer complained to Ignatius’ superior about it. Now, the Capuchin superior, who had no idea about the man’s wrongdoings, commanded Ignatius to go to the money-lender’s house.
Ignatius came back with a full sack of donations from the man. When they opened the sack, blood flowed out. Ignatius calmly said, “This is the blood of the poor. That is why I never asked anything from that man.”
He died of natural causes at age 79 in 1781. Venerable Pope Pius XII beatified Ignatius in 1940 and canonized him in 1951.