Saint Francis de Geronimo

Francesco de Geronimo, also Francis Jerome (17 December 1642 - 11 May 1716) was an Italian Roman Catholic priest and a professed member of the Jesuits. He was an energetic pastor who dedicated himself to missions across Naples either in large locations or in rural areas where he was known for succinct and concise preaching that resonated with all people regardless of their social status. But from his love for the missions came a desire to be in the Far East for missions; he was pained when he was not allowed to join the Jesuit mission in Japan or India but continued to dedicate himself to preaching and teaching students. He is known to have written the "Diu vi Salvi Regina" which later was adopted as the national anthem of an independent Corsica in 1735. Francesco de Geronimo was born in Grottaglie on 17 December 1642 as the eldest of eleven children to Giovanni Leonardo di Geronimo and Gentilesca Gravina. He led a pious childhood and at age twelve held the position of a sacristan and catechist at a house of the Theatines near his home. The reception of his First Communion made him hunger ever more for the frequent reception of the Eucharist. In 1658 he entered the college at Taranto which was under the care of the Jesuits after his parents decided to send him there after noticing his talents. He underwent his humanities and philosophical studies there and was so successful to the point that his local bishop sent him to Naples to attend lectures in both theological studies and canon law at the college of Gesù Vecchio. He received his ordination to the priesthood in Naples on 18 March 1666 from the Bishop of Pozzuoli Benito Sánchez de Herrera. He had to receive dimissorial letters from his archbishop (regarding studies) and a papal dispensation from Pope Alexander VII in order to be ordained under the age required. Until 1670 he was placed in charge of the pupils of the college of nobles in Naples where the students nicknamed him as "il santo prefetto".