Saint Francis Anthony Fasani

Francis Anthony Fasani (1681–1742) was born in Lucera, in southern Italy, to a poor family and joined the Conventual Franciscans at fifteen. Ordained in 1705, he earned a doctorate in theology and taught so well that people simply called him "Padre Maestro." He served as guardian and provincial of his friars, but spent much of his time hearing confessions, preaching and visiting prisoners, the sick and the poor. He had a deep love for the Immaculate Conception and died in Lucera in 1742; Saint John Paul II canonized him in 1986.

His remains are venerated in the Church of Saint Francis in Lucera. He used to accompany condemned prisoners to their execution, comforting them to the end.