St. Benvenute of Osimo | Saint of the Day

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Catholic saints are holy people and human people who lived extraordinary lives. Each saint the Church honors responded to God's invitation to use his or her unique gifts. God calls each one of us to be a saint. Click here to receive Saint of the Day in your email.

March 22
St. Benvenute of Osimo
(d. 1282)

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The spirit of Saint Francis can be found among bishops.

Benvenute came from the prominent Scotivoli family in Ancona, Italy. After studying theology and law at the University of Bologna, he was ordained and sent back to Ancona to assist in the running of the diocese.

Then he was appointed administrator of the Diocese of Osimo. That city had been without a bishop for 20 years as punishment for siding with Emperor Frederick II in his wars against the pope. Benvenute succeeded in convincing the people of Osimo to return to obedience to the pope. In 1264 the pope named Benvenute Bishop of Osimo, but allowed him to become a Franciscan before taking up his episcopal duties.

As a bishop Benvenute wore the Franciscan habit and observed the Rule of Saint Francis carefully. He promoted reform in his diocese by calling together synods and establishing wise rules to combat existing abuses. In all, Benvenute led the men and women of his diocese closer to God.

He died in his cathedral amid his priests. He was canonized three years later.

Comment:

People from all walks of life have followed Christ after the example of St. Francis. While most Franciscan bishops have served in the missions, there have been a significant number like Benvenute. Positions of leadership have made these bishops even more aware that humility and poverty are the marks of Christ’s Church.

Quote:

"In exercising their office of fathers and pastors, bishops should be with their people as those who serve, as good shepherds who know their sheep and whose sheep know them, as true fathers who excel in their love and solicitude for all, to whose divinely conferred authority all readily submit. They should so unite and mold their flock into one family that all, conscious of their duties, may live and act as one in charity" (Vatican II, Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops, #16).

Saint of the Day
Lives, Lessons and Feast
By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M.

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Cristóbal Magallanes and Companions: Like Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, S.J., Cristóbal and his 24 companion martyrs lived under a very anti-Catholic government in Mexico, one determined to weaken the Catholic faith of its people. Churches, schools and seminaries were closed; foreign clergy were expelled. Cristóbal established a clandestine seminary at Totatiche, Jalisco. Magallanes and the other priests were forced to minister secretly to Catholics during the presidency of Plutarco Calles (1924-28).
<p>All of these martyrs except three were diocesan priests. David, Manuel and Salvador were laymen who died with their parish priest, Luis Batis. All of these martyrs belonged to the Cristero movement, pledging their allegiance to Christ and to the Church that he established to spread the Good News in society—even if Mexico's leaders once made it a crime to receive Baptism or celebrate the Mass. </p><p>These martyrs did not die as a single group but in eight Mexican states, with Jalisco and Zacatecas having the largest number. They were beatified in 1992 and canonized eight years later.</p>

The most meaningful goals in life are those that can be accomplished with the help of God's graces. We should use those graces to give us confidence that, with God's guidance and help, our gifts are capable of being developed well beyond our imagined potential.

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