CAPELLIS, FRANCESCO MARIA de. - Liturgist and ascetical writer of the Capuchins. A native of Bologna, he held the first offices in his religious province and was renowned as a skilled orator. He died in 1668.
His best-known work is *Circulus aureus seu breve compendium caerimoniarum et ritum quibus passim a presbyteris uti contingit*. Composed for private use, the book was published by an indiscreet friend and, despite reaching its 21st edition by 1690, was placed on the Index on 24 July 1744.
He left various ascetical writings, including posthumous works such as *Fasciculus florum, spiritualium monitorum... ad Missam devote atque utiliter conficiendam*, 2nd ed., Bologna 1675; and *Ristoro spirituale ai poveri agonizzanti*, ibid. 1715.
BIBL.: Bernardo da Bologna, *Bibliotheca scriptorum Ordinis Minorum Cappuccinorum*, Venezia 1747, p. 104.