IGNAZIO di SAN PAOLO. - Passionist, in the world George Spencer, born in London on 21 Dec. 1799, died at Carstairs (Scotland) on 1 Oct. 1864. He completed his studies at Eton College and at the University of Cambridge and received Anglican orders. Having converted to Catholicism in 1830, he was ordained priest in Rome on 26 May 1832. He devoted himself zealously to pastoral ministry
in England, beginning in 1838 a fruitful “crusade of prayers for the return of England to the unity of the faith,” preached and supported by him not only in England, but also in Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Germany, and France. In 1848 he embraced the Passionist Institute, and was a distinguished and tireless missionary.
BIBL.: A short account of the conversion of the hon. and rev. G. Spencer, written by himself, London, n. d.; Pius a Spirito Sancto, Life of father Ignatius of St. Paul, passionist (The hon. and rev. George Spencer), Dublin 1886; A. Ross, Father Ignatius Spencer, passionist, the apostle of the conversion of England (1799-1864), London 1915; U. Young, Life of father Ignatius Spencer, C. P., ibid. 1933. Paolo Luigi del Crocifisso