Caraffa, Carlo (1)

Caraffa, Carlo (1), an Italian ecclesiastic, was born at-Naples in 1561. At the age of sixteen he entered the order of the Jesuits, but was compelled by illhealth, at the end of five years, to leave it, and took to the profession of arms, which, after some years, he forsook. He then devoted himself to works of piety, making the Hospital of Incurables the chief scene of his labors; here he established a congregation under the rule of St. Francis. Lastly, he founded the Congregation of Pious Laborers (q.v. ). He died at Naples, Sept. 8, 1633. See Landon, Eccles. Diet. s.v.; Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v. *