Saint Vincenzo Maria Strambi

Biography

Vincenzo Maria Strambi, religious name Vincenzo Maria di San Paolo (1 January 1745 – 1 January 1824), was an Italian Passionist and later Bishop of Macerata-Tolentino. He entered the Passionists despite initial refusals from the congregation's founder due to his frail constitution, but practiced severe austerities throughout his life. As bishop, he focused on charitable projects such as caring for the poor and reducing diocesan expenditures to support them. Strambi was exiled in 1808 after refusing to take an oath of allegiance to Napoleon, but returned to his see in 1814. He served until Pope Leo XII accepted his resignation in 1823, during which time he also acted as the pope's advisor. Before his death, Strambi offered his own life so that the pope might live; however, he died of a stroke shortly thereafter. His beatification was approved on 25 June 1845 and he was named venerable in 1894 before being canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1950.