DOMENICO LORICATO, saint. - Camaldolese of the Congregation of Fonte Avellana, born c. 995 in the Piceno region, on the Umbrian border, died at Frontale on 14 Oct. 1660. Having been simoniacally ordained priest by his parents, he spent several years among the secular clergy; but c. 1025, having learned of the irregularity of his ordination, he renounced the exercise of Holy Orders and became a hermit monk at Luceoli (now Ponte-Riccioli); then, c. 1043, he went to Fonte Avellana, under the guidance of St Pier Damiani.
Reviving the spirit of the ancient public penances, D. wished to practise them with such incredible harshness as to make his life a miracle.
For some time he was prior of the hermitage of S. Maria in Sitria, then (1059) of that of Mons Suavicius (S. Vicino, Frontale), where he continued his terrible mortifications until his death. His body is venerated in the parish church of S. Anna at Frontale (diocese of S. Severino Marche), where his hair shirt, or lorica, from which the name “Loricato” derives, is also preserved. Feast: 14 Aug.