Born in Sezze (Latina) on 22nd October 1613,
Giancarlo (this was his Baptism name) was forced to leave public schooling early
in order to tend to and safeguard the herds, still maintaining and cultivating
the deep Christian spirit instilled in him by his devout parents. The Love of
the Cross and the Virgin Mary illuminated his spiritual way; Carlo entered the
Franciscan convent in Nazzano on 18th May 1635, wearing the cloth of
the Poor One fron Assisi.
Loyal to the disposition of his superiors, he practised his
religious functions in the convents at Morlupo, Ponticelli, Palestrina,
Carpineto, Saint Peter in Montorio, and Saint Francis in Ripa, always living by
Franciscan humility and discipline. Brother Carlo always performed duties
happily while collecting goods for the poor and giving assistance to the sick
and needy.
The Lord wanted to show recognition for Brother Carlo's
extraordinary faith. One morning, while he was participating in the Mass in the
Church of Saint Joseph in Capo le Case, at the moment of the elevation of the
Holy Eucharist, a bright ray of light coming from the Sacred Host struck and
wounded Carlo in the heart, leaving him with a deep wound. Such was the sign of
love received that the same brother described it this way: "It was between
two extremes, that is between pain and sweet bliss, and it seemed as if the
spirit wanted to leave the body. I would have sustained whatever great torment
or any hardship because of the sweetness".
Brother Carlo performed many miracles, such as curing the
sick and multiplication of food. Stricken himself by disease, he died in the
convent of Saint Francis in Ripa on 6th January 1670.
On the spot where the Lord inflicted his love wound, a sign
in the form of a cross began to appear after his death; this phenomenon is one
of the miracles recognized by the Holy Congregation of Rites.
Recognizing the miracles proposed for Beatification by Pope
Pius IX, the same pope who put forth the decree for Beatification on 21st
November 1875.
Brother Carlo of Sezze was recognised a Saint of the Church
on 12th April 1959.
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Brief history of the life of S. Carlo
