Blessed James Gerius
Blessed James Gerius (born c. 1210 AD in Bitetto, Apulia, Italy; died c. 1350 AD in Bitetto, Apulia, Italy) was an Italian Catholic Franciscan lay brother known as the "Blessed Idiot of Bitetto" for his childlike simplicity, humility, and miracles. He was beatified by Pope Pius II. His feast day is April 27.
Stored in Cargo: Blessed James Gerius
| Blessed James Gerius | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | April 27 |
| Profession | Italian Catholic Franciscan lay brother; born Bitetto Apulia c. 1210; Franciscan lay brother; known as Beato Idiota (Blessed Simpleton); childlike simplicity; humility; miracles; died Bitetto c. 1350; beatified Pope Pius II; feast April 27 |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Franciscan Order (OFM); medieval Apulian Franciscan tradition; Bitetto; Apulia; Italy; Terra di Bari |
| Patronage | Bitetto; Apulia; Italy; Franciscan lay brothers; those who embrace holy foolishness; the simple and humble; those with learning disabilities (by association with "blessed idiot" title) |
| Attributes | Franciscan brown habit (lay brother); April 27 feast; Bitetto setting; Apulia; Terra di Bari; simplicity and humility; miracle imagery; southern Italian Franciscan context |
| Birthplace | Bitetto, Apulia, Italy |
| Death Place | Bitetto, Apulia, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died c. 1350 in Bitetto, Apulia, Italy; Blessed James Gerius (Italian: Beato Giacomo da Bitetto OFM; also Giacobbe Gera da Bitetto; known as the "Beato Idiota" — the Blessed Idiot) was an Italian Catholic Franciscan lay brother from Bitetto in Apulia; known for childlike simplicity, humility, and miracles; beatified Pope Pius II; feast April 27 |
| Primary Shrine | Bitetto, Apulia, Italy; beatified Pope Pius II; feast April 27 |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman calendar; April 27 feast locally in Bitetto and in the Franciscan tradition |
| Historic Class | Not in 1962 calendar |
Biography
James Gerius was born c. 1210 in Bitetto, Apulia. He entered the Franciscan Order as a lay brother. He became known as the "Beato Idiota" (Blessed Simpleton) for his childlike simplicity, radical humility, and the miracles attributed to him. His holiness lay in embracing the "holy foolishness" of the Cross in the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi.
He died c. 1350 in Bitetto. He was beatified by Pope Pius II. His feast day is April 27.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Bitetto, Apulia, Italy
Death location: Bitetto, Apulia, Italy
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Feast day
April 27
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