John Juvenal Ancina

Blessed John Juvenal Ancina, C.O.
Born	(1545-10-19)October 19, 1545 Fossano, Duchy of Savoy
Died	August 30, 1604(1604-08-30) (aged 58) Saluzzo, Duchy of Savoy
Honored in	Roman Catholic Church
Beatified	February 9, 1890, Rome by Pope Leo XIII
Major shrine	Cathedral of Saluzzo
Feast	August 30
Patronage	Fossano

The Blessed John Juvenal Ancina, C.O., (Italian: Giovanni Giovenale Ancina) (October 19, 1545 – August 30, 1604) was an Italian bishop who belonged to the Congregation of the Oratory, as well being a scholar and music composer. He was known also as an orator. He was beatified by the Catholic Church in the late 19th century.

Life

Early life

Ancina was born into a wealthy family of Fossano, in the Duchy of Savoy, now the Province of Cuneo in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. He studied at various universities in northern Italy. education in medicine and philosophy and during his youth also became an accomplished man of letters and musician.

Given his talents, interests and connections, Ancina had a wide variety of career options. Initially he became a physician and then, in 1574, he moved to Rome, where he attended the lectures in theology given by Robert Bellarmine, S.J. He also began to participate in the activities of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri.

Oratorian

Ancina was drawn to enter the community Neri had established at the Oratory and was admitted on 1 October 1574. He then undertook the theological studies needed to receive Holy Orders, being ordained on 9 June 1582. Four years later he was sent to Naples to help in the establishment of an Oratory there. He proved to be effective in reaching the population both through his preaching and his musical talents.

While there Ancina published the Tempio Armonico della Beatissima Vergine, a collection of spiritual songs set to a range of voices. Through his development of cultural activities at the Oratory, he drew the participation of many of the aristocracy of the city. He wrote the Oratorio dei Principi as a guide to the moral issues they faced.

Bishop

Ancina was called to Rome in 1596 where Pope Clement VIII told him that he wanted to make him bishop of the Diocese of Saluzzo in his homeland of Savoy. Ancina was reluctant to accept this nomination, and did not accept it until August 1602, for which he received consecration as a bishop on the following 1 September. He took possession of the diocese on 6 March 1603.

Ancina made a major goal of his episcopate the implementation of the directives of the recent Council of Trent. In line with this he immediately convened a synod where he laid out the methods of reform for both the clergy and the laity. He made arrangements to set a seminary to provide a higher level of knowledge and dedication in the local clergy. He gave a large emphasis to the instruction of the faithful in the teachings and beliefs of the Catholic Church, for which he introduced the use of the new Catechism drawn up by the Council. He encouraged the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. He was admired by the bishop of the neighboring diocese, Francis de Sales, who was later to establish and join an Oratorian community in his own diocese.

Ancina soon died in 1604, under the suspicion that he had been poisoned. He was buried in his cathedral, where his tomb is still venerated by the faithful.

Veneration

On 9 February 1890 Ancina was beatified by Pope Leo XIII. His canonization is still pending. He is honored as the patron saint of Fossano, his hometown. His feast day is celebrated on August 30.

See also

• Diocese of Saluzzo

References

• Kunst der Fuge: Giovenale Ancina biography
• Giovanni Giovenale Ancina - Biography(Italian)
• Biography

External links

• Free scores by John Juvenal Ancina in the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
• A brief biography from an Oratorian site