Jakob Missia

Roman Catholic Cardinal. A native of Mota, then part of the Austrian Empire in what is nowadays Slovenia, Jakob Missia followed the footsteps of one of his elder brothers and likewise studied for the priesthood, entering seminary in Lavant. Furthering his studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, obtaining a doctorate in theology in 1864, he was ordained priest there on May 30 of the previous year. Serving in the diocese of Seckau as professor and prefect of the minor seminary of Graz for two years, secretary to the bishop, episcopal chancellor and prosynodal examiner, he was named canon of the cathedral chapter in 1879, receiving shortly afterwards the appointment of Privy Chamberlain of His Holiness with the title of monsignor. Elected bishop of Ljubljana, he received his episcopal consecration on December 7, 1884, in Graz. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Gorizia and Gradisca on March 24, 1898 following the demise of Archbishop Alois Zorn, Pope Leo XIII elevated him to the Sacred College of Cardinals as cardinal priest of the title of Santo Stefano al Monte Celio in the consistory of June 19, 1899. The Cardinal passed unexpectedly away on March 23, 1902 in Gorizia aged 63, after suffering from a severe heart attack which resulted fatal. Following the lying in state and requiem mass at the metropolitan cathedral of Gorizia, he was interred in the Marian Church of Sveta Gora - the Holy Mount - in present day Slovenia.