Antonio Maria Pucci

Who was Antonio Maria Pucci?

Antonio Maria Pucci, O.S.M., was an Italian friar and priest, who was proclaimed a saint by Pope John XXIII on 9 December 1962.

Born Eustace Pucci to a poor sacristan and his wife, he felt called to life in a religious order early in life. In this, he was opposed by his father, despite his own career as a church worker. Overcoming this opposition, Eustace entered the Servite Order at age 18, at which time he was the name Anthony Mary.

In 1843, at age 28, he was assigned to serve as the local pastor of the town of Viareggio. He went on to serve in this post for the next forty-eight years, until his death Italy. Known as il curatino, he took care of the poor, sick and elderly people, especially during two epidemics. In 1853 he founded an institution for the education of children and initiated the first seaside hostel for sick and poor children in Viareggio. He also helped found the Holy Childhood Society.