Gerard of Villamagna
Encyclopedia
Blessed Gerard of Villamagna, also known as Gerard of Monza, was a Franciscan
tertiary
. He is sometimes referred to as Gerald rather than Gerard, and given the title of saint, although not canonised.
, Italy
. He was first esquire
, then a knight but was taken prisoner whilst on crusade.
After he had been ransomed, he returned to Italy where he became a Franciscan tertiary and lived the rest of his life as a Benedictine
hermit noted for his piety.
He died in 1242 of natural causes
He is a patron saint
of bodily ills and the sick.
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
tertiary
Tertiaries
Tertiaries may mean either:* associations of lay Christians connected with the mendicant and other religious Orders, i.e. Third orders* a bird's hand i.e. remiges....
. He is sometimes referred to as Gerald rather than Gerard, and given the title of saint, although not canonised.
Biography
Gerard was born in 1174 in TuscanyTuscany
Tuscany is a region in Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres and a population of about 3.75 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ....
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. He was first esquire
Esquire
Esquire is a term of West European origin . Depending on the country, the term has different meanings...
, then a knight but was taken prisoner whilst on crusade.
After he had been ransomed, he returned to Italy where he became a Franciscan tertiary and lived the rest of his life as a Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
hermit noted for his piety.
He died in 1242 of natural causes
Veneration
He was beatified in 1833 (cultus confirmed). His feast is on 13 MayHe is a patron saint
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
of bodily ills and the sick.