About the holy man Brother Louis of Savona, priest and preacher

Brother Louis was from a city called Savona, situated in the domain of Genoa. He was born of noble parents and was nourished by them in his fine bearing. From early childhood he attended school and became a good grammarian. However when the time came that he had to be involved in the world he decided to take up religious life. This displeased his parents very much who, recognising his fine intelligence, planned for him to study and because he was the lynchpin of the house. However, enlightened by the Holy Spirit he knew about the deceits of the devil and that one is in the world he can only free himself from his clutches with difficulty.

So when he was about eighteen years old he became a Theatine Priest. He persevered in that Congregation for about three years, applying himself to learning. He became well instructed in the sciences, particularly in Sacred Scripture.

However, as it pleased the Lord God, when he was in the city of Milan where a holy Capuchin was preaching, he decided to do more penance by becoming a Capuchin and he came to Rome. He lodged in our friary at Narni with another Priest, his companion who was later called Brother Anthony Bergamascho. Since I was part of the family in the friary at Narni he informed me about everything. Therefore he went to Rome and was received and always behaved like an angel of God.

His simplicity was such that in the Province of Rome they had a proverb: You are simple like Brother Louis of Savona. Once he found a toad in the garden. When he saw it he caught it by the foot and with great joy brought it to the cook so that he might cook it. He tought it was a frog. The cook told him to throw it away because it was poisonous. Brother Louis was surprised. He said, “I have eaten these frogs many times.”

He was very zealous about observance of the Rule. He could not go barefoot because he was very frail. However he was always austere in clothing and food. When he was made preacher, he preached with such acceptance that it was amazing. When there were certain difficult reconciliations that had to be done, the Friars sent this servant of God to preach, because there no peace he could not accomplish through his simplicity. He always felt that he said too much in his sermon. Nonetheless, his fervour and fine appearance were such that he pleased everyone universally.

He was a man of great prayer, so much so that he rarely spent time with anyone unless it was for an act of charity. He always stayed withdrawn. Nor would you have ever heard him say an idle word, so that his conversation was more angelic than human. He fled to office of superior whenever he could. Once he was made Guardian of Rome. With a great deal of effort the Friars made him accept that office since he felt he could not exercise that office with the clarity of conscience and peace of mind that he desired.

He spoke with the General who gave him permission to go to his home region to handle some important matters with his relatives and which concern the salvation of a soul. During that journey he occupied completely with prayer. Every morning he said Mass. Then he went continue his journey slowly, slowly with his mind continuously lifted up in God or he occupied himself in vocal prayers. When he came to the friary where I was, I said to him, “I am amazed that you began to make this journey.” He replied to me, “I have done it just to flee the tumults of the friary in Rome. I occupy myself continuously in spiritual things. I am much better off than if I stayed in that friary. Furthermore I hope to do a good work.” When the journey was over he returned to Rome. Not long after he fell sick with a grave infirmity. Near to death he was outside himself. It seemed as though he were dead for the space of an hour. Then he returned to himself and with great joy he said, “Know that I have been presented before the tribunal of Jesus Christ and my defects have been examined. I am one of the number of God’s elect. The just judge has determined it. Quickly, give me the Most Holy Sacrament as Viaticum.” After he had received it, that happy soul passed away to its creator. He was buried in the friary in Rome.

To the praise and glory of Our Lord Jesus Christ, of his most fair Mother and of Father Saint Francis. Amen.