Michele Lega S.T.D. J.U.D. (1 January 1860 – 16 December 1935)[1] was a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Prefect of the Congregation for the Discipline of Sacraments.
Michele Lega | |
|---|---|
| Prefect of the Congregation of Sacramental Discipline | |
 Cardinal Lega pictured in 1922. | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Appointed | 20 March 1920 |
| Term ended | 16 December 1935 |
| Predecessor | Filippo Giustini |
| Successor | Domenico Jorio |
| Other post(s) |
|
| Previous post(s) |
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| Orders | |
| Ordination | 13 September 1883 |
| Consecration | 11 July 1926 by Pope Pius XI |
| Created cardinal | 25 May 1914 by Pope Pius X |
| Rank | Cardinal-Deacon (1914–24) Cardinal-Priest (1924–26) Cardinal-Bishop (1926–35) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michele Lega 1 January 1860 |
| Died | 16 December 1935 (aged 75) Rome, Kingdom of Italy |
| Alma mater | Pontifical Roman Athenaeum Saint Apollinare |
| Motto | Ut unum sint |
| Styles of Michele Lega | |
|---|---|
.svg) | |
| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | Frascati (suburbicarian see) |
Early life and priesthood
editMichele Lega was born on 1 January 1860 in Brisighella, Italy. His mother was Countess Giulia Baldini di Rimini, his father was Giacomo Lega, an engineer and he was one of five children.[2]
He was educated at the Seminary of Faenza and the Pontifical Roman Athenaeum S. Apollinare, where he earned doctorates in theology, philosophy and a doctorate utriusque iuris (in both canon and civil law in 1888.[2]
He was ordained on 13 September 1883 in the diocese of Faenza. He served as a faculty member of the Pontificio Collegio Urbano de Propaganda Fide in Rome from 1887 until 1889. He then held the position of professor of philosophy until 1890 as well as being assistant professor of canon law from 1888 to 1889. He was a faculty member of the Pontifical Roman Athenaeum S. Apollinare from 1889 to 1893. He was made Privy Chamberlain on 11 August 1897. He was a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Codification of Canon Law and thus helped edit the 1917 Code of Canon Law. He was the Dean of the Roman Rota from 1908 until 1914.
Cardinalate
editHe was created and proclaimed Cardinal-Deacon of Sant'Eustachio[3] in the consistory of 25 May 1914. He was one of the cardinal electors in the conclave of 1914 that elected Pope Benedict XV. He was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for Discipline of Sacraments on 20 March 1920. He also participated in the conclave of 1922 that elected Pope Pius XI. After ten years as a cardinal-deacon he opted for the order of cardinal priests and his deaconry was elevated pro hac vice to title in 1924.
Episcopate
editHe opted for the order of cardinal bishops and the suburbicarian see of Frascati[4] on 21 June 1926. He was consecrated on 11 July of that year in the Sistine Chapel by Pope Pius XI. His brother Antonio attended the ceremony.
Death
editHe died in 1935; the funeral took place on 20 December, in the basilica of Ss. XII Apostoli, Rome.[2]
Family
editHis brother, Antonio Lega was bishop of Cervia and archbishop of Ravenna.[2]
His nephew Igino Lega went on to become a priest; he received the Medaglia D’Oro during WWII and was named as a Servant of God.[5]
References
edit- ^ Bibliothèque Nationale de France website, Profile page
- ^ a b c d Florida International University, Biographies section, The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church
- ^ California State University Northridge website, Sede Vacante 1914
- ^ Diocesi Suburbicaria Tuscolana, profile page
- ^ Jesuit.org website, Saints and Martyrs section, profile page
