Sulprizio, Nunzio, Bl.
SULPRIZIO, NUNZIO, BL.
Youth, b. Pesco Sansonesco near Sulmona in central Italy, April 13, 1817; d. Naples, May 5, 1836. Nunzio was the son of a poor cobbler; Domenico, and Domenica
Rosa (Luciani) Sulprizio. Orphaned at the age of nine, he was first cared for by a grandmother, and later went to live with an uncle, a blacksmith. For six years Nunzio suffered patiently and meekly the harsh treatment and abuse of his coarse and brutal guardian. Worked beyond the strength of his weak constitution and often deprived of food, he was reduced to a pitiful condition and suffered particularly from a painful sore on his foot. In 1832 another uncle brought Nunzio to Naples and, through the kindness of Col. Felix Wochinger of the Royal Guard, had him placed in the hospital of St. Maria del Popolo for incurables. He never recovered fully, and at the age of 19 died at the home of Col. Wochinger where he had been taken. He was beatified on Dec. 1, 1963 by Pope Paul VI.
Feast: May 5.
Bibliography: v. sardi, Storia della vita del Ven. Nunzio Sulprizio (Rome 1892). a. marena, Dall'incudine all'Altare (Rome 1963).
[f. g. sottocornola]