Saint Ignatius of Laconi

Ignazio da Laconi (Sardinian: Ignatziu dae Làconi) (10 December 1701 - 11 May 1781) - born Vincenzo Peis - was a Roman Catholic professed religious born in Sardinia, and a member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. His conquering a serious illness prompted him to consecrate his life to God and therefore entered the religious life though not as an ordained priest. Peis was better known in Sardinia for his humble demeanor coupled with his concern for those who were poor. He mingled with all people he met and was generous towards those who were ill. But he became known as a wonder worker and it was claimed that he had performed 121 miracles during his life. Peis' grave soon became a place where miracles reportedly flourished and this was one dimension towards the opening of his cause for canonization. He was beatified on 16 June 1940 and was canonized later in 1951. His body in Cagliari is still incorrupt. Vincenzo Peis was born on 10 December 1701 in Sardinia, the second of seven children of poor peasants Mattia Peis Cadello and Anna Maria Sanna Casu. He was baptized as "Francesco Ignazio Vincenzo" since he was born of a difficult pregnancy in which his mother invoked the intercession of Francis of Assisi. Peis worked in the fields to help support his parents. He suffered a serious illness ca. 1719 (aged seventeen) that made him vow that he would consecrate himself to God and join the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin if he managed to recover from it. He recovered but put off the fulfilment of the vow after his father convinced him to wait; his father was anxious about it because he depended on Peis for support in the fields. But there seems to be some indication that his parents objected to his entering the order. In 1721 he was in danger once more when the horse he was riding panicked. He could have been thrown off but he called upon the assistance of Francis of Assisi and renewed the vow he had made during his illness.