Roman Catholic Archbishop. A native of Canicattì, Rosario La Vecchia came from a family of modest means. Entering the Franciscan Observant Order in Palermo at an early age, receiving the habit and religious name of Benedetto at Alcamo, he was ordained priest on May 20, 1837. Earning degrees in theology and philosophy, elected guardian of the friary of Santa Maria di Gesù of his native Canicattì and successively provincial of his Order for the Val di Mazara, he distinguished himself for his humbleness and simplicity notwithstanding his intellect. Elected general definitor of the Order on August 30, 1850, he was transferred to Bologna in 1866 and in 1872, elected bishop of the diocese of Noto, receiving his episcopal consecration on March 17 that year from Archbishop Michelangelo Celesia OSB. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Siracusa on July 5, 1875, during his tenure he founded the periodical "La Luce Vera" and authored various doctrinal texts, including "Elementa Philosophiae Fundamentalis" and "Elementi di Fisica Razionale Cristiana", while the cathedral's pavement was covered with marble. Such was he known for his tireless zeal towards the destitutes, that his epitaph describes him as "father of the poor". A monument in his memory stands at the Villa Comunale of Canicattì.
Roman Catholic Archbishop. A native of Canicattì, Rosario La Vecchia came from a family of modest means. Entering the Franciscan Observant Order in Palermo at an early age, receiving the habit and religious name of Benedetto at Alcamo, he was ordained priest on May 20, 1837. Earning degrees in theology and philosophy, elected guardian of the friary of Santa Maria di Gesù of his native Canicattì and successively provincial of his Order for the Val di Mazara, he distinguished himself for his humbleness and simplicity notwithstanding his intellect. Elected general definitor of the Order on August 30, 1850, he was transferred to Bologna in 1866 and in 1872, elected bishop of the diocese of Noto, receiving his episcopal consecration on March 17 that year from Archbishop Michelangelo Celesia OSB. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Siracusa on July 5, 1875, during his tenure he founded the periodical "La Luce Vera" and authored various doctrinal texts, including "Elementa Philosophiae Fundamentalis" and "Elementi di Fisica Razionale Cristiana", while the cathedral's pavement was covered with marble. Such was he known for his tireless zeal towards the destitutes, that his epitaph describes him as "father of the poor". A monument in his memory stands at the Villa Comunale of Canicattì.
Bio by: Eman Bonnici
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