Grassi, Anthony, Bl.
GRASSI, ANTHONY, BL.
Priest, Confessor, Provost b. Fermo, Italy, Nov. 13, 1592; d. there, Dec. 13, 1671. He grew up in a devout Catholic family and in close contact with the priests of the Fermo Oratory. He joined the community in 1609 and remained in it till his death. He lived a mortified life, eating and sleeping little, and praying much. He usually spent five hours daily hearing confessions. In 1625 he made a pilgrimage to Rome, to the places made holy for him by St. Philip neri, founder of the Oratory, and he returned home with the intention of imitating this saint, who had been canonized in 1622. In 1635 Grassi became provost (an office filled every three years by election), and remained in this office till his death, being reelected no fewer than 12 times, despite regular protestations of unworthiness. As provost, he gave few orders, preferring to request and to suggest, and by his excellent example he brought to the Fermo Oratory the reputation of outstanding faithfulness to the rule and spirit of St. Philip.
Feast: Dec. 13.
Bibliography: c. antici, Vita del beato Antonio Grassi (Rome 1900). a. kerr, A Saint of the Oratory (London 1901).
[j. challenor]