Luke Casali

Saint Luke Casali was born, probably, at Nicosia in Sicily, then a Byzantine province, in the 9th century, and was abbot at Agira. His life comes to us from a "Vita" written by a monk named Bonus, now lost; for this reason his date of birth is not known with certainty.

At about twelve he was received by a monk into the monastery of Santa Maria Latina at Agira, where he spent his adolescence, took the monastic habit and was ordained priest. It is not known for certain whether he was a Basilian or a Benedictine; more likely a Basilian. He was elected abbot of the monastery and, although he wished to refuse out of humility, the pope urged him to accept the office. He became blind but went on with his duties. The legend tells that after visiting relatives, the monks asked him to preach in a deserted place, making him believe he had a crowd of faithful before him; after the blessing, the stones are said to have answered with "Amen". He died with a reputation for holiness and was buried at Agira. The Roman Martyrology commemorates him on 2 March: "At Agira in Sicily, Saint Luke Casale of Nicosia, a monk full of humility and virtue". He is honored as a saint of the undivided Church.