BORGIA, Luigi Oreste. – Priest, described by Benedict XV as “a gem of the Roman clergy,” born in Rome on March 28, 1840, died there on January 14, 1914. After completing his studies at the Roman Seminary of Sant’Apollinare, he was ordained in 1863, appointed archivist of the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide in 1867, canon of the basilica of San Marco in 1869, spiritual director of the Roman Seminary in 1875, and director of the Visitation nuns in 1886.
He carried out these duties simultaneously with full dedication, always serene and industrious. The fruit of his archival work was the *Colleganza S. C. de Propaganda Fide seu decreta, instructions, praescripta pro apostolicis missionibus ex tabulario eiusdem S. C. deprompta* (Rome 1893; 2nd ed. in 2 vols., ibid. 1907). As spiritual director he joined the illustrious company of those formators of priestly souls who are the glory of the Roman seminary of the 19th century: the Venerable Vincent Pallotti (d. 1850), Don Randanini (d. 1875), and Monsignor Piazza (d. 1893). He inherited their spirit, preserving and developing their work. A man of “Salesian” gentleness toward others, he imposed on himself harsh penances, and at his death three iron crosses were found carved on his chest. His venerable remains were solemnly transferred in 1916 to the basilica of San Marco and placed in a marble funerary monument designed by Aristide Leonori (q.v.). In 1923 the informative process on his reputation for holiness was begun.