Arcangelo Placenza from Calatafimi

Arcangelo Placenza da Calatafimi (Calatafimi, 1390 – Alcamo, 24 luglio 1460) was an Italian Franciscan religious, Friar and Preacher: today he is venerated as Blessed by the Catholic Church.

Born at Calatafimi, (province and diocese of Trapani), at about 1390 in the local noble family of the Placenza, he left his paternal home and went to live in a cave, not far away from the chiesa di Santa Maria del Giubino, where they ascribe frequent apparitions of the Virgin, who would appear him over a cypress while he was praying.

After the news of the apparitions and miracles spread, the place became more and more frequented by onlookers and believers; his relatives went there to persuade him to give up his intentions. Being in search of meditation, Arcangelo then moved to Alcamo, where he started to look after sick people in the old hospital of Sant'Antonio, which he restored after a period of neglect. In his free time he retired in a cave in the neighbourhood to pray and do penitenza.

After the suppression of hermits in Sicily by Pope Martino V, he became a friar of the Minor Order of Observants in Palermo, at the convent of Santa Maria di Gesù.

After becoming a presbyter, the Blessed Matteo Guimerà from Agrigento, his immediate superior, gave him the faculty to open new convents: Arcangelo then went back to the hospital of sant'Antonio in Alcamo, to open a convent. Besides he was elected provincial Vicar of his order and devoted himself to preaching.

He lived in the convent of Santa Maria di Gesù in Alcamo until his death, occurred on 24th July 1460. Pope Gregorio XVI proclaimed him blessed, thanks to the various miracles attributed to him, on 9 September 1836.

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