Bartolo of San Gimignano


Blessed Bartolo of San Gimignano
(Beato Bartolo da San Gimignano)

Confessor, Third Order

Bartolo Buonpedoni, the last descendant of the ancient and illustrious house of the counts of Mucchio, was born at San Gimignano in northern Italy in 1228. For twenty years his pious mother, who had been childless, begged God to give her a son. St Peter, whose intercession she had invoked, appeared to her in a dream and assured her that her petition would soon be granted. She bore a son, who was given the name Bartholomew, or Bartolo, in baptism. The child grew up in innocence and piety.

When Blessed Bartolo of San Gimignano reached young manhood, he felt that he was called by God to the priesthood. But his father, the count, a proud and worldly-minded man, preferred his son to be a stately knight and famous soldier. He became very angry at his son and used every means to break his resolve.

Matters went so far that the boy fled from the anger of his father to the convent of the Benedictines at Pisa. There he did duty as an infirmarian although still in secular clothes. As his eminent virtues became manifest, the fathers offered him the religious habit. Then one night he was granted a vision. Our Savior, covered with wounds and holding a scourge in His hand, addressed the young man:



“Bartolo, not in this habit are you to attain the celestial crown; it is to be through suffering and wounds, and in the garb of penance.”

Bartolo then resolved to request the habit of the Third Order of St Francis and to embrace the life of a secular priest. After several years of preparation he was ordained by the bishop of Volaterra and appointed assistant priest at Picciola, and twelve years later, pastor of Pichena. In this capacity Blessed Bartolo of San Gimignano labored with extraordinary zeal. All the income of his parish was used for good purposes, especially for works of mercy in behalf of the sick and needy. One night he met a poor traveler, whom he invited to spend the night with him. At midnight he heard a voice say:

“Bartolo, you have given hospitality to Jesus Christ.”

Going to the room where his guest had been lodged, he found that the guest had disappeared.

When Bartolo was fifty-two years old, he was attacked by the dread disease of leprosy, which was so rampant at that time. He resigned his parochial duties, and withdrew to the leper hospital near San Gimignano. He lived there nearly twenty years, gradually wasting away from suffering and leprosy, but always manifesting the most heroic patience. It was a marvelous circumstance that no one ever showed any disgust for his wounds, but rather perceived a sweet odor emanating from them.

A week before his death Our Lord appeared to him, to tell Blessed Bartolo of San Gimignano that the end of his terrible suffering was at hand. He died December 12, 1300. His body was laid to rest in the church of At Augustine at San Gimignano and numerous miracles occurred at his tomb. He was beatified in 1910 by Pope Pius X.

From: The Franciscan Book of Saints, by Fr Habig, OFM





Return to Saints Page


Return to Roman Catholic Saints Homepage



NOW AVAILABLE!!

Pelayo king of Asturias

Pelayo, King of Asturias  --

Pelayo's resistance initiated the nearly 800-year-long Reconquista to take back his country from the ruthless invader who had conquered his homeland and sought to erase his culture and his faith. His actions would lay the foundations of a Kingdom for Christ that would eventually reach around the world and spread the Catholic faith to millions of souls. Read more...


Please help us continue to bring high quality books to our readers at the lowest possible price! Click the link below! Thank you!


Now Available!


Defenders of Christendom
Battles - Honor - Miracles!
This book is filled with
amazing stories of little-known
Catholic heroes presenting
spectacles of bravery and
valor never exceeded in all the annals of history.
Demonstrating his
gallantry through daring feats
of arms, the knight's faith,
coupled with his marvelous
courage, made him nearly
invincible on the field
of battle. read more . . . 


Learning to Love God

Especially for young children -
Now available as an e-book!

Available for only $2.99 US
as an ebook download.

Also available in Spanish!



The exciting life story of
the holy Catholic knight
known as El Cid!

Available for only
$22.95



The amazing life story of the
little known incorrupt saint
- King Fernando III!
This highly acclaimed book is
inspirational to young men
and a guide to building a strong
masculine, Catholic character!

Also available as softback!