CAPELLONI, PAOLO, venerable. - Jesuit, preacher, b. in Roma on 21 Feb. 1776, d. in Napoli on 14 Oct. 1857. A pupil of the Collegio romano and the Capranica, he completed his studies with the Dominicans, then became tutor in the Vitelleschi family, exercising his ministry in the church of the Gesù, where he founded a flourishing Marian congrega-
tion of young men. In 1811, having refused to take the oath imposed by the French, he was exiled to Rieti, whence he returned in 1814 to join the Society of Jesus.
After Ferentino, his field of work was Napoli and the church of the Gesù Nuovo (1821-57). His principal concerns were directed toward the people and the soldiers, organizing for their benefit the most varied works, preaching missions and spiritual exercises, always with extraordinary success. When the Jesuits were driven out by the popular uprising (1848), he found refuge in Malta, whence he returned the following year, received in triumph. He fervently promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the Immaculate Conception. The cause of beatification was introduced in 1909.