Very rare Reliquary Box of Beatus Antonius Franco with original case ( Italy 2013 )

Very rare Reliquary Box of Beatus Antonius Franco with original case ( Italy 2013 )

( Beatus Antonius Franco )

Marked EX. CORPORE B. ANTONII FRANCO

Size: 3 cm diameter x 2 cm H

God plated pendant, with the vatican seal on the back

Antonio Franco (September 26, 1585 – September 2, 1626) was an Italian bishop of the Diocese of Santa Lucia del Mela who is considered blessed by the Catholic Church. His feast day is September 2.

Antonio was born in Naples on September 26, 1585, into a noble Italian family. He was drawn to the priesthood early on. Barely 17 years old, he received his diploma in canon and civil law. Not yet old enough to be ordained a priest, he completed his studies in Rome.

Shortly after arriving in the Eternal City, his father sent him to Spain, where he served for four years as chaplain to King Philip III of Spain. The latter placed him in charge of the diocese of Santa Lucia del Mela on May 18, 1617. Antonio Franco also became the general councilor and chaplain of the Kingdom of Sicily.

He died with a great reputation for holiness on September 2, 1626, in his ecclesiastical city. He always rubbed shoulders with the greatest but remained humble and faithful to his commitments.

Antonio Franco was considered a saint from the moment of his death. His body, which remained incorrupt, was kept in a reliquary in the Cathedral of the Assumption of Santa Lucia del Mela. He was recognized as venerable by the Catholic Church on January 14, 2011. On December 20, 2012, a miracle was recognized by Pope Benedict XVI. His beatification was celebrated on September 2, 2013, in Messina by Cardinal Angelo Amato, on behalf of Pope Francis.