Blessed Gerard
Blessed Gerard of Villamagna (born c. 1174 AD in Villamagna, Tuscany, Italy; died May 23, 1242 AD in Villamagna, Tuscany, Italy) was an Italian Catholic Franciscan tertiary, Crusader knight, and mystic who participated in the Crusades, was held captive by the Saracens, and returned to his native Tuscany to live a life of penance and contemplation as a Franciscan tertiary. He was beatified and his cult was confirmed in 1834. His feast day is May 23.
Stored in Cargo: Blessed Gerard
| Blessed Gerard | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | May 23 |
| Profession | Italian Crusader knight and Franciscan tertiary; born Villamagna Tuscany c. 1174; participated in the Crusades; captured by Saracens; released; returned to Villamagna and lived as Franciscan tertiary; died May 23 1242; cult confirmed Pope Gregory XVI 1834; feast May 23 |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Franciscan Third Order (Secular Franciscan Order); medieval Italian Catholic tradition; Crusading tradition; Tuscany |
| Patronage | Tuscany; knights; Crusaders; prisoners; Franciscan tertiaries; those held captive; Villamagna |
| Attributes | Knight's armor or tertiary robe; Franciscan cord; palm branch; May 23 feast; Crusader's cross; chains (captivity) |
| Birthplace | Villamagna, Tuscany, Italy |
| Death Place | Villamagna, Tuscany, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died May 23, 1242, in his native Villamagna, Tuscany; Blessed Gerard of Villamagna was an Italian knight who participated in the Crusades and was taken prisoner by the Saracens; after his release, he returned to Villamagna and lived as a Franciscan tertiary in prayer, penance, and contemplation; his cult was confirmed in 1834 by Pope Gregory XVI |
| Primary Shrine | Villamagna, Tuscany, Italy; May 23 feast; cult confirmed 1834 |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman calendar; local feast in Tuscany and Franciscan tradition |
| Historic Class | Not in 1962 calendar |
Biography
Gerard of Villamagna was born c. 1174 in Villamagna, Tuscany, Italy. He served as a knight in the Crusades and was captured by the Saracens, enduring a period of captivity before his release.
After returning to his native Villamagna, he embraced the penitential life as a Franciscan tertiary, spending his remaining years in prayer and contemplation. He died May 23, 1242.
His cult was confirmed by Pope Gregory XVI in 1834. His feast day is May 23.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Villamagna, Tuscany, Italy
Death location: Villamagna, Tuscany, Italy
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Feast day
May 23
Veneration
Blessed Gerard of Villamagna (c. 1174–1242) was a Tuscan Crusader knight who, after captivity among the Saracens, returned to Villamagna and lived as a Franciscan tertiary in prayer and penance; cult confirmed Pope Gregory XVI 1834. Feast May 23.
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