Career
As professor of theology in the Dominican college of Saint Dominic (Naples), in the Minerva, and in other schools of his order, he became the most celebrated theologian of his time in Italy. He was made master of sacred theology by a general chapter of the order held at Rome in 1608, and then became dean of the faculty of the theological college of Naples. In 1610 Gravina was professor of theology at Rome at the College of Saint Thomas, the future Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Angelicum.
Gravina was made master of sacred theology by the General Chapter of the Order at Rome in 1608.
He wrote Vox turturis seu de florenti usque ad nostra tempora.. sacrarum Religionum statu, 1625 in polemic with Robert Bellarmine whose De gemitu columbae criticized the decadence of religious orders. In the pulpit he gained great renown and was frequently called upon to conduct Lenten courses and to preach before Pope Paul V. He displayed, moreover, a tireless activity in the administrative offices of prior and provincial in his own province, and of procurator general and vicar-general of the entire order.
While discharging the duties of these two offices, to the latter of which he was raised by Pope Urban VII, who had caused the general to be removed, he was also Master of the Sacred Palace.
