Ricci, Lorenzo

Ricci, Lorenzo, an Italian Jesuit, was born at Florence, Aug. 2, 1703. He was of a noble family, and at a very early age joined the Society of Jesus. He was employed in various ways, and finally became secretary-general under Luigi Centurione. At the death of his superior, Ricci was elected to fill his place, May 21, 1758. But there soon arose those difficulties which finally destroyed the order. Its members were banished from the principal courts of Europe, and Ricci received from France proposals of reform. To all such he replied haughtily that there was nothing to be reformed in the society, Sint ut sunt, out non sint. In January, 1769, several of the states of Europe solicited the abolishment of the order from Clement XIII. This pope died soon after, and his successor, Clement XIV, was also appealed to. He finally yielded, and on July 21, 1773, signed an edict which suppressed the entire order. Ricci, with his assistants, was transferred to the Castle of St. Angelo at Rome, where he died, Nov. 24, 1775. See Caraccioli, Vie du P. Ricci; Ch. Sainte-Foi, Vie du P. Ricci (2 vols. 12mo); Ami de la Religion.