LANCIZIO (Lanczycki or Leczcycki), MIKOLAI. — Jesuit, writer on ascetical subjects, b. at Nieswiesz (Lithuania) on 10 Dec. 1574, d. at Kowno (Lithuania) on 30 March 1653. Reading apologetic works and constant study led him in 1590 to conversion, and after converting his father as well, he entered the Society of Jesus (1592).
He completed his studies at the Roman College, becoming particularly devoted to St. Thomas. Ordained priest in 1601, he served in the same college as prefect of spiritual matters and confessor, sought after by a great number of bishops, prelates and Roman families; at the same time he assisted Fr. N. Orlandino in researching documents for the history of the Order. In 1606 he was sent to Poland, where he taught Hebrew, Sacred Scripture and theology at Wilno; later he became rector at Kalisch and Cracow, and then provincial of Poland and Lithuania. He never ceased from direct ministry to souls in those regions, which were greatly in need.
He distinguished himself not only in teaching, in government and in apologetics against Protestant preachers, but also in profound and sure theological doctrine, united with a gentle unction and discretion, by which he wrote many ascetical pamphlets that met with great success. The complete series of 21 was published by Fr. J. Bolland: *Opuscula spiritualia* (2 vols., Antwerp 1650); often reprinted in whole or in part and also translated. Cf., e.g., J. Martin, *Collectanea Lanciana* (Paris 1877) and the still incomplete edition begun at Cracow in 1883. Some of his principal works: *De meditationibus rerum divinarum recte peragendi*; *De condicione boni superioris* (latest ed., Turin 1901); *De efficacia S. S. M. Eucharisiae ad profectum spiritualem in virtutibus*; *De praxi divinae praesentiae*; *De praestantia Instituti S. J.*