Saint Charles of Sezze

Saint Charles of Sezze was born on October 22, 1613 in Sezze, Italy. He came from a humble family, with parents who worked the land. Although they wanted Carlo to study to have a better life and pursue a career as a priest, they had difficulty paying for his education. Despite trying to study, Carlo ended up abandoning his books to help his brothers in agriculture.

Carlo's interest in the priesthood increased after he became ill. He began reading about the lives of the Church's martyrs and attending the sacraments of reconciliation and the Eucharist. At age 22, he joined the Franciscans and took the name Friar Carlo. He worked in several convents in Lazio as a cook, sacristan and doorman.

Frade Carlo was known for his dedication to the poor and needy. He took his apostolate to Urbino, Naples and Spoleto, visiting several Franciscan convents to care for the sick and distribute alms to the poor.

In 1648, during a mass in the church of Saint Joseph in Capo le Case, Rome, a miracle occurred. When Carlo was celebrating the elevation, he was struck by a light that left a sacred wound on his chest. He died on January 6, 1670, and a medical commission recognized that the wound on his chest was supernatural. This miracle was one of the reasons why he was beatified in 1772 by Clement XIV, and canonized in 1882 by Leo XIII and on April 12, 1959 by John XXIII.