Blessed Francesco Zirano was born in 1564 AD, in Sassari, Sardinia, in the Kingdom of Sardinia. He lived as a Roman Catholic Priest and a professed religious member of the Order of the Friars Minor Conventual. He died on January 25 1603 AD, aged 39, in Algiers, Ottoman Algeria, as a martyr. His feast day was formerly celebrated on January 25 but now it is celebrated on January 29.
Blessed Francesco Zirano’s Life History
Francesco Zirano was born in 1564 AD, in Sassari, Sardinia, in the Kingdom of Sardinia, from a family of four children, having a brother and two sisters, from two farmers. His father’s name is unknown but his mother name was Margherita. His father was said to have died in an epidemic in Sassari in 1582 AD.
He received his education from the monastery of Santa Maria di Bethem and in 1580 AD, he became a professed member of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. He was ordained to priesthood in 1586 at the Cathedral of San Nicola by Archbishop Alfonso de Lorca of Sassari. He served as a beggar, bursar and a vicar in the friary.
In 1590 AD, his cousin, Father Francesco Serra was abducted by Barbary Pirates on Sardinian coast and circumstances were that he would either be ransomed or converted to Islam for the acquisition of is freedom. In fear that his cousin would denounce his faith, Zirano traveled to Algiers, where Serra was held captive, to arrange for his freedom.
In Sardinia, the jurisdiction of setting up a ransom was only reserved for the members of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy and so Zirano came up with a petition to Pope Clement VII, in 1597, to grant him permission to raise funds for Serra and other captured Christians. He was given the go-ahead two years later in March 1599. He traveled around Sardinia for 3 years seeking donations to pay the ransoms, while consoling the families of the abducted Sardinians.
Zirano embarked on the journey to the Barbary coast in 1602 AD, accompanied by King Philip III’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Kuku, Friar Matteo de Aguirre, who was a former slave in Algiers and arriving on July 28 1602, at the port of Azeffoun. They arrived in Algiers after leaving the port of Kuku disguised as a travelling merchant accompanied by his interpreter.
Meanwhile, a smuggler got arrested by Algerian authorities within Algiers and with him discovered letters addressed to Zirano and other Christians in Algiers, making him a wanted person in the city. He managed to evade the authorities and was able to rescue four christian slaves from their masters and returned with them to Kuku where he remained to provide spiritual guidance to escaped captives.
The Kingdom of Kuku surprisingly managed to win in the war between them and Algiers. In response to the happiness of the King of Kuku, Zirano was tasked with the responsibility to deliver a letter to the King of Spain. The soldiers escorting him, unfortunately abandoned him on the way to Azeffoun city in an attempt to betray him to Algerian Soldiers. He was captured and transported to Algiers by Algerian soldiers, while being mistaken to be Friar Matteo de Aguirre and was held for a ransom of 3000 ducats, a price seventeen times higher than for a normal slave.
A council consisting of the Janissaries and the pasha, were at conflict in deciding the fate of their new captive as the Prasha hoped to collect the ransom and the Janissaries wanted the captive executed. After the discovery that the identity of the captive was Zirano rather than Friar Matteo, it was unanimously decided that Zirano should be executed.
Zirano was sentenced to death by flaying on the crimes of helping four christian slaves escape and for being a spy. Before his execution, he was asked if he could consider converting to Islam so that he could consider converting to Islam so that he could regain his freedom and he declined the offer, he died on January 25 1603 AD, in Algiers, Ottoman Algiers as a martyr, after being flayed to death.
Blessed Francesco Zirano’s Birth
Francesco was born in 1564 AD, in Sassari, Sardinia, in the Kingdom of Sardinia.
Blessed Francesco Zirano’s Death
He died on January 25 1603 AD, aged 39, in Algiers, Ottoman Algeria, as a martyr.
Blessed Francesco Zirano’s Family Background
He was born in a family of four children, having a brother and two sisters, from two farmers. His father’s name is unknown but his mother name was Margherita.
Education
He received his education from the monastery of Santa Maria di Bethem.
Profession
He lived as a Roman Catholic Priest and a professed religious member of the Order of the Friars Minor Conventual.
Blessed Francesco Zirano’s Beatification
He was beatified on October 12 2014 in Sassari, Italy by Cardinal Angelo Amato on behalf of Pope Francis.
Venerated in
He was named Servant of God on August 15 1990 and is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church.
Blessed Francesco Zirano’s Feast Day
His feast day was formerly celebrated on January 25 but now it is celebrated on January 29.
Blessed Francesco Zirano’s Attributes
He is attributed as a Franciscan habit
Blessed Francesco Zirano’s Patronage
His patronage is that of abuse victims, immigrants, slaves and kidnapped people.
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