(1786-1837) Confessor, founder of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood, born Rome; died there. He studied at the Roman College and after ordination, 1808, obtained a canonry at Saint Mark's. Banished and imprisoned, 1810-1814, for refusing to swear allegiance to Napoleon, he returned to Rome and established, 1815, a congregation of secular-priests to give missions and spread devotion to the Most Precious Blood. He devoted himself to suppressing brigandage in the mountains of Albano, and his labors throughout central Italy merited for him the titles of "Hammer of Freemasonry," and "Apostle of Rome." Beatified, 1904. Buried in San Maria in Trivio. Feast, C.PP.S., December 29,.