Blessed Anthony Grassi
Anthony Grassi was born in 1592, in Fermo, Italy. Anthony was the oldest child of five born to a devout middle class family. He was a congenial and clever boy, who was well-liked by his teachers and peers. Anthony’s father died when he was only ten and afterwards, Anthony suffered a long illness. When he recovered, he began frequenting the local church of the Oratorian Fathers (founded by St. Philip Neri ), joining the religious order when he was 17. Anthony's love of learning made his studies for the priesthood a pleasurable time in his life. His excellent memory made it possible for him to acquire an extensive knowledge of the Bible, the Fathers of the Church, and the teachings of Saint Thomas Aquinas. He was a like a “walking encyclopedia” of Catholic information. Each year, Anthony made a pilgrimage to the holy house of Loreto, which was only twenty miles away. On one such visit in 1621 at age 29, he was struck by lightning and knocked unconscious. He received the anoin...