Antony Mary Pucci

Pucci, Antony Mary (1819–92), Servite priest. Born of a peasant family at Poggione de Vernio (Tuscany), he became a Servite friar at Florence in 1837. Imperturbable and prayerful, he studied at Monte Senario and was ordained in 1843. He then became curate and in 1844 parish priest of Viareggio. There he spent the rest of his life.

Unnattractive in looks and voice, taciturn and withdrawn by temperament, he was nevertheless an excellent organizer; but he often said that organization is the servant of charity, not its substitute. His care for the sick was outstanding in the epidemics of 1854 and 1866. He also pioneered the provision of seaside nursing homes for children, and in a wider field worked also for the Association for the Propagation of the Faith. In 1883 he was appointed provincial of the Tuscan Province and held this office for seven years.

He died on 14 January, a model pastor, deeply mourned. Miracles were soon reported at his grave and he was canonized in 1962. Feast: 12 January.

Bibliography
Click here for a list of abbreviations used in this bibliography.

• Anon., Un apostolo della carita (1920); I. Felici, Il curatino santo, B. Antonio M. Pucci (1952); other Lives by P. M. Perroni (1953) and G. Papasogli (1962). See also B.L.S., i. 85; N.C.E., xi. 1012; Bibl. SS., Appendix