Blessed Francis of Fabriano

His life:

+ Francis Venimbeni was born in Fabriano in the Marche region of Italy. He was a devout and intelligent child and he learned Latin at an early age.

+ At the age of 16, Francis joined the Order of Friars Minor (the Franciscans) and gained a reputation for his holiness and learning. At the end of his novitiate he traveled to Assisi to visit the shrine of the Portiuncula and there met Brother Leo, the close friend and companion of Saint Francis of Assisi.

+ Assigned as Guardian (superior) of a new friary in Fabriano, Francis oversaw construction of a new library, the first Franciscan library. He also had a great devotion to the Holy Souls in Purgatory and would often offer Mass for them.

+ Francis was convinced that the Franciscans had a special vocation to teach sound doctrine and he promoted learning within the Order. A gifted scholar, he wrote a number of spiritual writings, although few of his writings have survived.

+ Blessed Francis of Fabriano was beatified in 1775.

For prayer and reflection:

“He gave them the water of wisdom to drink;
it will be made strong in them and will not be moved;
it will raise them up for ever, alleluia.”

—Entrance Antiphon for Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

Prayer

O God, who have bestowed on us paschal remedies,
endow your people with heavenly gifts,
so that, possessed of perfect freedom,
they may rejoice in heaven
over what gladdens them now on earth.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal: Collect for Tuesday in the Octave of Easter)

Saint profiles prepared by Father Silas Henderson, S.D.S.