BRIENZA, SERAFINO. — Dominican of the Neapolitan convent of S. Domenico Maggiore, master in theology, and one of the greatest and most renowned spiritual directors of the eighteenth century. For several years he held the very demanding office of exorcist, leaving us on the subject no small number of manuscripts of erudition and practical value, worthy of being assessed and published. His principal published works are: S. Tommaso Spiritual Direttore ovvero Trattato della rinnegazione di noi stessi, Naples 1753; La Theologia Mystica rischiarata colle dottrine di S. Tommaso d'Aquino, in several volumes, works of sound theological doctrine and lofty mystical inspiration.
BIBL.: G. Lovazzino, Catalogo degli Uomini Illustri figli del Real Monistero di S. Domenico Maggiore, Naples 1777; E. d'Afflitto, Memorie degli Scrittori del Regno di Napoli, II, Naples 1782; Mazzucchelli, II, IV, p. 2091. Innocenzo Casati