Originally named, Francesco Antonio Placidi was born to poor parents on June 4, 1655, in Cori near Rome. As a child, he was called “the little saint”. He was a shepherd as he grew up. Placidi was holy and learned about the Order of Friars Minor. Both his parents died around the time he turned fourteen. He had to care for his two sisters and find them, husbands. Placidi was devoted to God. As soon as his sisters were married, he chose to enter consecrated life. He became a friar and entered the Order of Friars Minor
In 1683, after completing his studies, he was ordained a priest. He was appointed as the assistant master of novices in Orvieto. He learned of the hermit life which was re-emerging. He joined a hermitage where he lived until his death except for a brief period of time in which he was the guardian of a hermitage he founded.
Father Tommaso followed the model of hermit life that Francis of Assisi had established. He didn’t remain enclosed within the hermitage but would preach in the small village. He was known for his simple messages of the Gospel and was called the “Apostle of the Sublicense” He was known as a man of deep contemplation on the Gospel. He often spent the night in the convent’s chapel in silent meditation. Placidi died in peace in his sleep at the beginning of 1729 in Civitella
The sainthood process began July 15, 1737, when Pope Clement XII called Placidi Servant of God. Pope Pius VI declared the friar Venerable on August 1, 1778, Pope John Paul II canonized the friar in Saint Peter’s Square on November 21, 1999.