Saint Ignatius of Santhiá was born on 5 June 1686 in Santhiá, in the Vercelli region of Northern Italy. He was a Capuchin priest, who was faithful to the Franciscan spirit, especially by his obedience, simplicity and humility. Ignatius was renowned for his gift of spiritual direction and concern for the spiritual growth of the faithful. He was also called the "father of sinners and the lost" owing to his particular ability to deal with the "spiritually sick".

Ignatius received his early education from a priest, who inspired him and helped to discern his call to enter the priesthood. In 1710 he was ordained a diocesan priest and after six years of priestly ministry, he joined the Capuchin Friars.

On 24 May 1717, Ignatius made his religious profession, and from that day he was like putty in the hands of his superiors. He was sent from one house to another in the Savoy region of Northern Italy. Ignatius was happy to be moved around out of obedience and had completely surrendered to "God's disposition".

In 1727, Ignatius was sent to the convent in Torino-Monte, with the responsibility of prefect of the sacristy and confessor for the laity. In this ministry, Ignatius showed his fatherly concern for others and the spiritual wisdom which he learned at the foot of the Crucified One. It was not long before the religious, priests, the faithful and the most hardened sinners began coming to the monastery to make their confession and to receive spiritual direction.

In 1731, Ignatius was sent to the monastery of Mondově, where he was made master of novices and vicar of the monastery. His only desire was to make the novices entrusted to his care true followers of Christ and obedient sons of St Francis. His teaching was founded on two pillars: divinely loving the novices and teaching by example, more than by words. In 1744 he had to leave the novitiate and go to Turin because he suffered from a mysterious eye ailment that led to near blindness.

In 1743-1746, a war broke out in the Piedmont. Ignatius was made head chaplain and he offered his assistance in the hospitals of Asti, Vinovo and Alessandria, taking care of the wounded.

When Piedmont returned to peace, Ignatius went back once more to his convent in Turin-Monte. He visited the sick and begged for money and food for the needy.

Ignatius died in Turin-Monte on 21 September 1770.

He would often say: "Paradise is not made for slackers. Let's get to work!". He taught the religious and laity the way of holiness and abandonment in God's hands, by his example and by his words.

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Alfonso da Cusco
2. Saint Basilia
3. Saint Joseph Marchandon
4. Saint Silvanus of Levroux
5. Saint Emmeramus