_(cropped).jpg) | |
| Priest | |
| Born | Carlo Domenico Cristofori November 17, 1631 Aviano,Venice |
| Died | August 13, 1699 (aged 67) Vienna,Austria |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 27 April 2003,Saint Peter's Square,Vatican City byPope John Paul II |
| Feast | August 13 |
| Attributes | Franciscan habit |
Mark of Aviano (Italian:Marco d'Aviano), bornCarlo Domenico Cristofori (November 17, 1631 – August 13, 1699) was an ItalianCapuchin friar. In 2003, he wasbeatified by PopeJohn Paul II.[1]
Carlo Domenico Cristofori was born inAviano, a small community in theRepublic of Venice (Italy). Educated at the Jesuit College inGorizia, at 16 he tried to reach the island ofCrete, where theVenetians were at war with theOttoman Turks, in order to preach the Gospel and convert the Muslims to Christianity. On his way, he sought asylum at a Capuchin convent inKoper, where he was welcomed by the superior, who knew his family, and who, after providing him with food and rest, advised him to return home.[2]
Inspired by his encounter with the Capuchins, he felt that God was calling on him to enter their order. In 1648, he began his novitiate. A year later, he professed his vows and took his father's name, Marco, becoming Fra' Marco d'Aviano. On 18 September 1655, he was ordained a priest inChioggia. His ministry entered a new phase in 1664, when he received a licence to preach throughout the Republic of Venice and other Italian states, particularly duringAdvent andLent. He was also given more responsibility when he was elected superior of the convents ofBelluno in 1672, andOderzo in 1674.[2]
His life took an unexpected turn in 1676, when he gave his blessing to a nun, bedridden for some 13 years: she was miraculously healed. The news spread far and wide, and it was not long before the sick, and many others from all social strata, began to seek him out.[2]
Among those who sought his help wasLeopold I, Holy Roman Emperor, whose wife had been unable to conceive a male heir. From 1680 to the end of his life, Marco d'Aviano became a close confidant and adviser to him. As the danger of war with the Ottoman Turks grew near, Marco d'Aviano was appointed byPope Innocent XI as his personal envoy to the emperor. An impassioned preacher and a skillful mediator, Marco d'Aviano played a crucial role in resolving disputes, restoring unity, and energizing the armies of theHoly League, which includedAustria,Poland, and Venice, under the leadership of the Polish kingJan III Sobieski. In the decisiveBattle of Vienna (1683), the Holy League succeeded in inflicting a defeat on the invading Ottoman Turks.[3]
From 1683 to 1689, Marco participated in the military campaigns, playing a crucial role in promoting good relations within the Imperial army and encouraging the soldiers. He was present at theliberation of Buda in 1686 and at thesiege of Belgrade in 1688.[3] He always maintained a strictly religious spirit, to which any violence and cruelty were repugnant. As a result, at the siege of Belgrade several hundred Muslim soldiers successfully appealed to him personally, in order to avoid being massacred upon capture.
With the campaigns over, Marco returned to pastoral work. In one of his private letters to the emperor, Marco actually scolds him quite forcefully for granting a benefit to one of his brothers, reminding him that, by so doing, he was only providing ammunition for the enemies of their cause.
Marco d'Aviano died of cancer on August 13, 1699, in Vienna.[4] He is buried in theCapuchin Church, in whose vault the Habsburg emperors are buried.
Marco's cause was formally opened on 11 December 1912, granting him the title ofServant of God. He was later declaredVenerable.[5] Usually he is depicted in the act of preaching.[3]
Notable people who are baptised under protection of Marcus are:
In the 2012 Polish and Italian historical drama filmThe Day of the Siege: September Eleven 1683 about the Battle of Vienna, Marco d'Aviano is portrayed byF. Murray Abraham.
A popular myth says thatcappuccino was named after him.[6] According to legend, after theBattle of Vienna, "the Viennese reportedly found sacks of coffee abandoned by the enemy and, finding it too strong for their taste, diluted it with cream and honey. The drink being of a brown colour like that of the Capuchins' robes, the Viennese named it cappuccino in honour of Marco D'Aviano's order."[1]
