GIORDANINI, PIER FRANCESCO. - Missionary of St. Vincent, born in Saluzzo on 15 Jan. 1657, died in Rome on 11 Nov. 1720. He entered the Congregation of the Mission on 22 March 1679 and held important offices in Pavia, Florence, and Rome. The last period of his life was spent in Rome as president of the Accademia dei nobili ecclesiastici, which he directed wisely from its foundation in 1703 until his death.
He was highly esteemed for his theological expertise and his skill in administering the sacrament of Penance. His four-volume work, *Istruzione pei novelli confessori* (Rome, n.d.), went through many editions and became a standard text in the 18th century. Another notable work of his was a small ascetical volume, *Ichnographia, ossia modello d’un vescovo* (ibid. 1719), reprinted several times, most recently a century ago under the title: *Vita e uffizi del vescovo a seconda dei dettami dei sacri canoni, dei SS. Padri e dell’istoria* (ibid. 1850).