CIONI, GIOVANNI BATTISTA, venerable. – First member of the Clerics Regular of the Mother of God, b. in Lucca on 11 Nov. 1556, in the C. palace, third-born son of the noble married couple Francesco and Maddalena Bertolini; d. there on 31 March 1623.
From childhood he was most devoted to the Most Holy Eucharist. While attending the Dominican church of S. Romano with his cousin C. Franciotti, he had as his confessor Fr. Benedetto Onesti, who, together with his confrères Frs. Paolino (venerable) and Francesco Bernardini, instructed the young. He came to know s. Giovanni Leonardi (v.) and became his first associate when the latter founded (1574) the Congregation, later Order, God (v.). Ordained a priest in 1585, he moved with Leonardi and his companions from the house and church of S. Maria della Rosa to that of S. Maria Corteorlandini; he was rector of the church and subsequently superior of the house. Most humble, he twice refused the office of rector general. When a small Congregation of priests was established in Pescia through the efforts of s. Giovanni Leonardi and ven. Antonio Paqui, C., while remaining in Lucca, directed it for more than 15
years. He assisted the two bishops of Lucca, the Guidicioni, in the care of the diocese (and directed the seminary of S. Michele there). He is buried in S. Maria Corteorlandini.
His cause of beatification having been opened in 1701, the process for the declaration of his heroic virtues has now been completed.