Blessed Antonio Grassi (13 December): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

Blessed Antonio Grassi of Fermo, a humble priest of the Oratory of St Philip Neri, lived a life of extraordinary holiness, humility, and supernatural grace. Best known for being struck by lightning while praying at the Holy House of Loreto, his life stands as a powerful witness to abandonment to Divine Providence. Born in the Marches of Italy to a pious family devoted to Our Lady of Loreto, Antonio inherited his father’s deep faith from an early age. Encouraged by disciples of St Philip Neri, he entered the Oratory at just seventeen years old and quickly became known as a “walking dictionary” for his brilliance in Scripture, theology, philosophy, and classical literature. In 1621, while praying in the Holy House of Loreto, Blessed Antonio was struck by lightning—an event that left him temporarily paralyzed and convinced he was about to die. Though physically healed, the spiritual impact of this moment transformed the rest of his life. From then on, he lived with unwavering gratitude, making annual pilgrimages to Loreto and dedicating himself completely to God. As a confessor, superior, and spiritual director, Blessed Antonio possessed the gift of reading hearts, guiding souls with simplicity rather than severity. He rejected extreme corporal penances, teaching instead the superior value of interior mortification and humility, in keeping with the spirit of St Philip Neri. Re-elected repeatedly as Superior of the Oratory of Fermo, he governed by example, kindness, and charity. His influence extended far beyond the Oratory—bishops, cardinals, and even the future Pope Clement X sought his counsel. Blessed Antonio Grassi died in 1671, leaving behind a reputation for sanctity confirmed by numerous miracles after his death. Though delayed by wars and political unrest, his beatification finally occurred in 1900. 📅 Feast Day: December 13 📍 Oratory of Fermo – Italy This reading comes from “The Lives of the Saints” by Father Alban Butler. 00:00 Introduction – Blessed Antonio Grassi 00:23 Early Life & Family Devotion to Our Lady of Loreto 00:44 Meeting Disciples of St Philip Neri 00:58 Entering the Oratory at Age 17 01:17 Formation in the Oratory of Fermo 01:23 Struggles with Scruples & First Mass 01:43 The Lightning Strike at Loreto (1621) 02:05 First-Hand Account of the Event 03:49 Near Death & Spiritual Awakening 04:16 Lasting Effects of the Miracle 04:31 Ministry as Confessor 05:00 Gift of Reading Hearts 05:10 Election as Superior of the Oratory 05:35 His Gentle Governance 05:53 Teaching on Interior Mortification 06:40 Influence on Bishops & Cardinals 07:00 Famine Riots & Near Martyrdom 07:25 Gift of Prophecy 07:45 Final Illness & Last Acts of Charity 08:13 Death, Miracles & Beatification https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/december/ Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 Support Catholic Businesses here - https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ Sensus Fidelium Press - https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ Sensus Fidelium Apps - https://sensusfidelium.tv/ Support Sensus Fidelium - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 🙏🏻PLEASE HELP OUR CHANNEL GROW 🙏🏻 ▶ 1. Become a Channel Patron: https://www.patreon.com/SensusFidelium ▶ 2. Visit the website https://www.sensusfidelium.com for Gueranger, Saint of the Day, Apologetics, Meditation by the Saints, Scripture Study and more. ▶ 3. Subscribe to Other Video Platforms 🔴 BitChute --- https://www.bitchute.com/channel/Sensus_Fidelium/ 🔴 Rumble --- https://rumble.com/c/c-298311 🔴 My Catholic Tube - https://mycatholictube.com/videos/sensus-fidelium-channel/ 🔴 ODYSEE - https://odysee.com/@SensusFidelium:c 🔴 BrandNewTube - https://brandnewtube.com/@SensusFidelium 🔴 GloriaTV - https://gloria.tv/Sensus%20Fidelium ▶ 5. YouTube: Click Subscribe, then Click "Notification Bell" = 🔔 ▶ 6. Please share this video 📲, and help others find Christ inside the Catholic Church! Please share this video on Facebook and Twitter using the share button. ▶ 7. Follow on Social Media: 🔴 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SensusFidelium/ 🔴 Twitter: https://https://twitter.com/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 Parler: https://parler.com/profile/Sensusfidelium/posts 🔴 SP3RN: https://www.sp3rn.com/community/pages/14-sensus-fidelium 🔴 GAB: https://gab.com/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 Bastyon: https://bastyon.com/sensusfidelium 🔴 GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/sensus_fidelium 🔴 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sensusfidelium/ 🔴 Telegram: https//t.me/RealSensusFidelium 🔴 Truth Social - @SensusFidelium ▶ 8. Follow on iTunes: 🔴 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sensus-fidelium-catholic-podcast/id1477010758 #BlessedAntonioGrassi #LivesOfTheSaints #CatholicSaints #StPhilipNeri #OurLadyOfLoreto #TraditionalCatholic #CatholicHistory #SaintsMira

Topics

• Blessing & Favor