[Luigi]. Italian churchman, canonized in 1726 by Benedict XIII. (calendar day, June 21st). He was born on the 9th of March 1568, being a son of one of the most noble families in Italy. His mother imbued him with the spirit of early piety, which developed in him to a remarkable degree as he grew into manhood, his self-denial and mortification of the body, even while suffering severely under the effects of wasting disease, being conspicuous. He commenced his novitiate with the Society of Jesus at St. Andrew’s, Rome, November 25, 1585, and took his vows two years later. In 1591, on the outbreak of a terrible epidemic, he fell sick of the distemper and his life was despaired of; but he recovered, and fell into an ecstasy, during which he realized the approach of his own death, which occurred, as he had foretold, on the 21st of June 1591. He was buried at the Church of the Annunciation, a rich memorial chapel being there built under his name. See also Lives of the Saints.
