Segneri, Paolo the Younger

SEGNERI, PAOLO THE YOUNGER. - Jesuit, popular missionary, nephew of the great preacher, b. in Rome on 18 Oct. 1673, d. at Senigallia on 15 June 1713.

Having entered the Order, after completing his studies at the Roman College, on 25 May 1689, he devoted himself, like the 210, to preaching and above all to popular missions, traveling over the greater part of central Italy and part of northern Italy, always accompanied by great success on account of his effective and winning eloquence, observes Muratori (v. op. cit. in bibl.), and his gentle and penetrating word, pleasing to all.

He composed: Dell'amore di Dio e dei mezzi per conquistarlo (Lucca 1707, reprinted several times; it is a version, with the addition of pious reflections, of the little work of Fr. F. Nepveu); Esercizii spirituali esposti secondo il metodo del p. P. S. iuniore da L. A. Muratori (Modena 1720); to this work are linked the harsh questions and discussions between Muratori and the doctors of the University of Salzburg and many other theologians, among whom were several Jesuits, who accused Muratori of maintaining that devotion to Mary was not necessary for salvation. And moreover various other spiritual little works, generally examinations (on the love of God, on the good use of confession, on charity, on poverty, etc.), published by Muratori and especially by F. Carrara: Opere postume del p. P. S. (3 vols., Bassano 1795).

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