FERRETTI, Gabriele, Blessed. - Franciscan Observant friar
b. in Ancona c. 1385, d. there 12 Nov. 1456. Descended from a noble Anconitan family, he entered the Order at an early age, distinguishing himself by his virtue and austerity. He served as guardian in Ancona and as provincial minister of the Marches. At his death, St. James of the Marches delivered the funeral oration. Many miracles are attributed to him, both in life and after death. His cult, widespread from ancient times, was approved by Benedict XIV.
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FERRETTI, Gabriele. - Cardinal, b. at Ancona 31 Jan. 1795, d. at Rome 31 Sept. 1860. In 1827 he was appointed bishop of Rieti, where in 1831 he led the resistance against the revolutionary troops of General Sarcognani. In 1833 he was sent as apostolic nuncio to Naples, where he assisted the cholera-stricken during the epidemic of 1837. In the same year he became archbishop of Fermo and in 1838 a cardinal. He incurred no small number of opponents because of the severe reforms he sought to introduce in his diocese.
In 1847 he was named by Pius IX Secretary of State. Following the Pope’s policy, he often clashed with conservatives in favor of the Neo-Guelphs and moderate liberals, and recalled Manniani from exile. His popularity waned after firm measures taken in January 1848, and he was relieved of office, receiving instead the legation of Ravenna. After Pius IX’s flight from Rome, he went first to Naples and then to Malta. He returned to Rome with the restoration and in 1852 became Major Penitentiary, and the following year bishop of Sabina.
