Blessed John Licci was also known as Liccio.
He was a Roman Catholic priest and a member of the Order of Preachers (The Dominicans).
He was born in 1400 in Caccamo, Palermo, Sicily, Italy and died on November 14 1511 at the age of 111 years.
We celebrate his feast day on November 14 every year in the Catholic Church.
| Blessed John Licci Biography | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1400 |
| Place of Birth | Caccamo, Palermo, Sicily, Italy |
| Profession | Roman Catholic Dominican Priest |
| Place of Work | Italy |
| Date of Death | November 14 1511 |
| Place of Death | Caccamo, Palermo, Sicily, Italy |
| Feast Day | November 14 |
| Beatification | By Pope Benedict XIV on April 25 1753 at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City |
| Patron Saint of |
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Blessed John Licci Life History
Blessed John Licci, born in 1400 in Caccamo, within the diocese of Palermo, Sicily, Italy, hailed from a humble farming family.
Tragedy struck early in his life when his mother passed away during childbirth. Remarkably, the 111 years that followed were marked by a series of extraordinary events.
John’s father, who nourished the infant with crushed pomegranates, had to toil in the fields, leaving the baby unattended.
When the baby began crying, a compassionate neighbor took him into her home to feed him. She placed the infant next to her paralyzed husband, and miraculously, the man’s paralysis vanished.
When she recounted this miracle to John’s father, he was more concerned about her interference than the miracle itself, feeling that she had taken his son without permission.
He retrieved the child, feeding him more pomegranate pulp. Yet, the neighbor’s paralysis returned as soon as John left their house, and the man was healed when John was brought back. Even John’s father recognized this as a sign and allowed the neighbors to care for John.
As a precocious and emotional child, John began reciting the Daily Offices before the age of 10. At the age of 15, during a trip to Palermo, Italy, he went to Confession at the church of Saint Zita of Lucca, where his confession was heard by Blessed Peter Geremia.
Peter suggested that John consider a religious life, but John felt unworthy. However, Peter persisted, and John joined the Dominicans in 1415, wearing the habit for an astonishing 96 years, one of the longest periods on record.
John became a priest and founded the convent of Saint Zita in Caccamo, Italy. Lacking the funds for construction, he prayed for guidance and had a vision of an angel instructing him to “build on the foundations that were already laid.”
In the nearby woods, he discovered the foundation of a church named Saint Mary of the Angels, which had been started many years before but never completed. John took this as the indicated place and took over the site.
During construction, there were numerous miraculous occurrences. Materials arrived just in time when workmen ran out.
A well that obstructed construction dried up with John’s blessing and flowed again when construction was completed.
Short roof beams were extended through John’s prayers. On days when the workers needed food, John miraculously multiplied bread and wine to feed them.
Once, a young boy who came to watch his uncle set stones fell from a wall and was killed. John’s prayers restored the boy to life and health.
John, along with two fellow Dominicans, was accosted by bandits on the road near Caccamo. One of the thieves attempted to stab John with a dagger, but his hand withered and became paralyzed.
The thieves eventually released the brothers and even sought their forgiveness. A sign of the cross from John healed the thief’s hand.
On one Christmas, a local farmer offered to pasture the oxen that had arrived with the disappearing wagon driver.
John declined, believing the oxen should remain where they had come. The layman disregarded this and put the oxen with his own.
However, they promptly vanished and were found contentedly grazing near Father John back at the construction site.
While John was not renowned for his preaching during his more than 90 years in the habit, he was widely recognized for his miracles and acts of kindness.
His blessing kept a nearby widow’s breadbox miraculously full, ensuring she could feed her six children. His blessings also protected the cattle of his parishioners from diseases.
John was a noted healer, having cured at least three people with head injuries from accidents. He served as the Dominican Provincial of Sicily and as the Prior of the abbey on several occasions.
Blessed John Licci died on November 14 1511, and he was beatified on April 25 1753, by Pope Benedict XIV.
He is the patron saint against head injuries and of Caccamo, Italy.
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