Ludovico Coccapani

The life of Ludovico Coccapani is characterized by an exceptional charitable and social commitment, structured around two spiritual pillars: the Secular Franciscan Order and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

On December 7, 1907, he donned the habit of the Secular Franciscan Order (Third Order of Saint Francis) and made his religious profession on December 8, 1908. Inspired by the evangelical poverty and fraternity of Saint Francis of Assisi, he directed all his actions toward the service of the most destitute.

In 1894, he joined the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Pisa. From 1895, he became involved in the Conference of Saint Euphrasia (Conferenza di Sant'Eufrasia), which he presided over from 1907 until his death. In 1914, he also became president of the Particular Council of the Vincentian Conference of Pisa.

Through these structures and other committees, he deployed tireless activity: - He actively supported the work of the popular missions launched by the Catholic newspaper Per il Bene. - He taught catechism to the children of the Sant'Andrea parish in Pisa. - He was involved in the civil and religious assistance committee for orphans of the First World War. - He collaborated closely with Maria Schiratti Toniolo (wife of Blessed Giuseppe Toniolo) for the protection of young girls. - He visited prisoners daily in the jails of Pisa to bring them material and spiritual comfort, a dedication that earned him the bronze medal of merit.

Ludovico Coccapani distinguished himself through a discreet, humble, and joyful charity. He refused all honors and constantly sought to fade into the background behind the works he accomplished. He maintained deep spiritual friendships with great figures of the Church of his time, notably Blessed Giuseppe Toniolo and his confessor, the Venerable Cardinal Carlo Raffaello Rossi. In the autumn of 1931, while suffering from severe bronchopneumonia, he felt his end approaching. He chose to return to his birthplace in Calcinaia to spend his final moments there. Before passing away, he entrusted his spiritual testament to his loved ones: "When the Lord comes to call me to account for the service I have performed, I want to be buried here in Calcinaia in the common grave, among my poor with whom I have spent my whole life." He died peacefully on the evening of November 14, 1931, in Calcinaia, at the age of 82. In accordance with his final wishes, he was buried simply in the communal cemetery, among the poorest.

The reputation for holiness of Ludovico Coccapani spread rapidly after his death. In 1949, on the occasion of the centenary of his birth, the Archdiocese of Pisa officially opened his cause for beatification and canonization at the diocesan level.

After the examination of his life and writings by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Pope Francis authorized, on November 7, 2018, the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues. On that date, he was officially declared Venerable by the Catholic Church.

The spirituality of Ludovico Coccapani is profoundly Eucharistic, Marian, and Franciscan. For him, the material aid provided to the poor could not be dissociated from a word of faith and hope. He strove to see Christ in every suffering person and to transmit to them the joy of prayer. His legacy remains alive through several institutions and places of memory: - The Calcinaia Asylum: In 1925, he donated his family palace to the work of Cardinal Maffi to establish a nursery school. This structure is still active today under the name Scuola Materna Ludovico Coccapani. - The Mensa dei Poveri: In the parish of Saint Francis of Pisa, a soup kitchen managed by volunteers bears his name (Mensa dei poveri Ludovico Coccapani), daily perpetuating his work of hospitality and charity. - The Ceramics Museum: In 2015, the municipality of Calcinaia inaugurated the Museo della Ceramica Lodovico Coccapani in the former family ceramics factory, paying tribute to his roots and his history.