Brother Francesco Maria Ricci, OP, was elected Prior Provincial during the Chapter of the Province of St. Thomas in Italy held at the Convent of Madonna dell’Arco in Naples, Italy. Following the confirmation on 6 July 2021 by the Master of the Order of Preachers, Brother Gerard Timoner III, OP, Br. Francesco accepted the election and made the Profession of Faith.
Born in Cerignola in the province of Foggia on 17 September 1959, Br. Francesco entered the Order in 1983 and was ordained a priest on 24 June 1989. After his novitiate in Bologna, he continued his studies in Naples at the Pontifical Theological Faculty of Southern Italy, St. Thomas Section, and proceeded to obtain his Licentiate in Mariology at the Pontifical Theological Faculty (Marianum) in Rome, and then his Doctorate in Theology at the Angelicum.
In 1994, the Master of the Order, Brother Timothy Radcliffe, OP, appointed him Secretary of the General Postulation. His long service at the General Curia of the Order included other offices related to the Basilica of Santa Sabina, for which he worked on various restoration and promotion projects.
At the end of his mandate in 2015, he returned to the Province and was assigned to the Convent of San Domenico Maggiore in Naples, where he later on served as Prior. Even then he continued his ministry as Postulator of some causes at the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. He was likewise involved in different preaching ministries as well in animating various congregations of religious women.
We commend to your prayers our brother’s service to the Order and to the Church.
