VALSECCHI, ANTONINO. - Dominican apologist and preacher, b. at Verona in 1708, d. at Padova on 5 March 1791. He first taught philosophy, then devoted himself to preaching, establishing himself among the most distinguished orators of his time. Professor of theology at the University of Padova for 33 years (1758-91), he enjoyed the esteem of Carlo Emanuele di Savoia and of Popes Clemente XIII, Clemente XIV, and Pio VI.
He wrote valuable apologetic works: On the Foundations of Religion and the Sources of Impiety (3 vols., Padova 1765-1777, Torino 1769-70); Religion Victorious, Relating to the Books on the Foundations (2 vols., Padova 1779); The Truth of the Roman Catholic Church (ibid. 1787; in Latin, ibid. 1791); Praelectiones theologicae (posthumous, ibid. 1805). Among his other works, mention should be made of: Lenten Sermons (Venezia 1792,
(phot. Alinari)