SIMONE of Saint Paul. — Discalced Carmelite, in secular life Paolo Franciosi, born at Volterra on 5 Sept. 1572, died at Milan on 6 Sept. 1622. He carried out his apostolate in Rome and in Lombardy, everywhere venerated and sought after for his holiness and his outstanding gifts as a spiritual director.
He left many manuscript ascetical booklets, partly published in his major work *Riforma dell'uomo*, issued posthumously in Como in 2 vols. in 1662 and immediately translated into French. A vigorous writer, he united in himself profound theological depth with sound practical realism, and with his work, published in Italy dozens of times up to the early 18th century, he contributed not a little to the flourishing of true Christian piety in times that were sad even for spirituality.