Saint’s Life Story

His Early Life

Giancarlo (John Charles) Marchioni (also known as Charles) was born in Sezze, Italy on October 19, 1613 to the poor farmers Ruggero Marchioni and Antonia Maccione. Three days later, he was baptized since his family was extremely pious and devout. When Charles was a toddler, his mother, Antonia, liked to dress him in a dark tunic with a cord and hood in honor of friars Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Anthony of Padua. She kept this ‘habit’ even after he outgrew it.

Shepherd and Farmer

For health reasons, he had to suspend his elementary studies. So, he became a shepherd to help his parents with their exhaustive workload in their rural area. Charles Later, he became a farmer as he liked to plough in the fields because he liked the oxen.

Dove Descends

In 1630, at the age of 17, Charles made a vow of perpetual chastity in honor of the Virgin Mary. This vow was against the advice of his parents and relatives who would have wanted him to be a priest.

in 1633, Charles fell ill to the point of near death. He pledged to join the Order of Friars Minor if he were to be healed of his ailment. However, Charles faced significant obstacles on his path to becoming a priest. Since, he was a poor student, struggling to read and write, Charles had little hope of succeeding in the seminary.

Lay Friar

On May 18, 1635, Charles took the habit of the Friars Minor in the convent of S. Francesco in Nazzano, Italy. He later recounted that he did so out of a desire to live a poor life and to beg alms “for the love of Christ”. Charles felt a desire to serve in the missions in India, inspired from the lives of Saint Pascal Baylon and Saint Salvador of Horta. However, again poor health halted this dream.

Charles lived the life of a religious and never requested ordination to the priesthood despite the protests of his parents to do so. After overcoming many difficulties, Charles made his solemn profession as a lay brother into the order on a year later on May 19, 1636 into the hands of Father Angelo Maria. His religious name was “Cosmas” at first, but his mother’s insistence saw it changed to “Carlo”.

Humble Franciscan

Subsequently, Charles resided in the convents of St. Maria Seconda in Morlupo, St. Maria delle Grazie in Ponticelli, St. Francesco in Palestrina, St. Pietro in Carpineto Romano, St. Pietro in Montorio and St. Francesco a Ripa in Rome. Between 1640 and 1642 he lived for a short time in the convents of St. Giovanni Battista al Piglio and in that of St. Francesco in Castelgandolfo. In these friaries near Rome, Charles served in various menial positions, including cook, porter, sacristan, and gardener. Despite his simple tasks, Charles distinguished himself with his humility, obedience, seraphic piety and love for his neighbor. He succeeded in combining the most intense interior and contemplative life with tireless charitable and apostolic activity, embracing his duties with great devotion and fidelity. This duties led Charles to Urbino, Naples, Spoleto and other Italian cities.

Porter Incident

One notable incident occurred when Charles was entrusted with the role of porter. The friary superior commanded him to provide food only to traveling friars, strictly adhering to this rule. However, Charles noticed that the alms received by the friary decreased during this time. With humility and wisdom, he convinced the superior that their lack of generosity towards other travelers was causing the decline in alms. Consequently, Charles was given permission to be more open-handed with those in need, and as a result, the alms increased significantly.

Served Plague Victims

In 1656, during a time of severe plague, Charles fearlessly served among the victims, offering spiritual and physical assistance to those suffering. His selfless actions demonstrated his unwavering devotion to his fellow human beings and to God.

He also had a great love for the poor. Charles would often give away what little he had to help those in need.

Author

Though Charles was not a priest, he was instructed to write the account of his life. So, at the request and direction of his confessor, penned his autobiography, entitled “The Grandeurs of the Mercies of God.” In addition, he wrote several mystical works. His insightful and contemplative writings have continued to inspire many in their spiritual journeys.

Ray of Light

One of the most remarkable aspects of Charles’ life was his experience as a stigmatist. He bore a visible wound in his side, said to have been opened by a piercing ray of light that shone from an elevated host during Mass at the Church of Saint Joseph a Capo le Case.

Visions

On July 28, 1665, Charles had a vision of Pope Saint Victor I and Saint Teresa of Ávila. In addition, Charles predicted multiple future popes from cardinals Fabio Chigi (Pope Alexander VII), Giulio Rospigliosi (Pope Clement IX), Emilio Altieri (Pope Clement X) and Gianfrancesco Albani (Pope Clement XI).

Spiritual Advisor to Popes

Despite his simple and humble role as a lay brother, Charles often found himself sought out for spiritual guidance from laity, priests, religious, bishops, cardinals and even, Popes. Pope Clement IX summoned him to his deathbed for comfort and a blessing not long before the two men died. In the first week of December 1669 the pope summoned Charles but the friar was ill so was taken to the pope on a chair.

Charles greeted Pope Clement IX: “Holy Father, how are you?”

Pope Clement IX responded: “As well as God wants me to be”.

Charles asked Cardinal Giacomo Rospigliosi, who was also in the room, to bless Pope Clement IX with a special relic he carried. However, Pope Clement IX wanted the frail Charles to bless him. So, Charles did. pope Clement IX asked when the two would meet again. Charles told him it would be on the feast of the Epiphany to which those present thought the pope would get well and the two would meet in a month. But, Pope Clement IX died on December 9th and people questioned how the friar was wrong.

His Death

On December 31, 1669, Charles was forced to his bed due to pleurisy. On January 6, 1670, Charles died in the convent attached to San Francesco a Ripa in Rome, Italy. After his death, the area of the wound was marked with a cross, further solidifying the belief in the miracle that occurred.

Charles was buried in that church, where a chapel dedicates to his name still hosts his remnants.

Born:                  October 19, 1613 in Sezze, Ital

Died:                  January 6, 1670 in Rome, Italy

Beatified:          January 22, 1882 by Pope Leo XII

Canonized:       April 12, 1959 by Pope John XXIII

Feast Day:        January 6, January 5, 7, 18 and 19 (on some calendars)

Patron Saint:     Sezze, Italy

Source:

• • St. Charles of Sezze – Catholic Fire
  • CatholicSaints.Info » Saint Charles of Sezze
  • Saint Charles of Sezze – Saint for a Minute: Saints & Blesseds
  • San Carlo da Sezze – Santi e Beati
  • Charles of Sezze – Wikipedia

Prayers

Video Link

Cradio Saint of the Day: Saint Charles of Sezze – YouTube Video (CatholicSaints.Info)