Blessed Marcolinus Amanni
Stored in Cargo: Blessed Marcolinus Amanni
| Blessed Marcolinus Amanni | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | January 24 |
| Rel. Affiliation | Dominicans |
| Patronage | Forlì; against lightning and thunderstorms |
| Attributes | Dominican habit; lily; book |
| Birthplace | Forlì, Italy |
| Death Place | Forlì, Italy |
| Cause of Death | natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Forlì Cathedral, Forlì, Italy |
| Liturgical Class | Not included |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Blessed Marcolinus Amanni (c. 1333 – January 24, 1397), also known as Marcolino of Forlì, was an Italian member of the Dominican Order renowned in Catholic tradition for his profound austerity, contemplative life, and reputed prophetic gifts.[1] Born in Forlì, in what is now Italy, he entered the Dominican Order at a young age and lived a life marked by silence, prayer, and strict penance, speaking rarely even after ordination.[2] Hagiographic accounts describe him as a model of Dominican spirituality, serving as prior of his community's convent and gaining a reputation for holiness during his lifetime.
According to Dominican chronicles and later hagiographies, Marcolinus was gifted with prophecy, foretelling events such as papal elections and local calamities, and performed miracles including healings and protections from storms.[3] He died in Forlì after a brief illness, and his cult developed promptly among the faithful there. Beatified by Pope Gregory XVI on September 12, 1838, his feast day is observed on January 24, particularly within the Dominican family and the Diocese of Forlì-Bertinoro.[4]
While historical records confirm his existence and role in the Dominican Order, many details of his life derive from hagiographic traditions preserved in Dominican sources. These emphasize his virtues but lack independent corroboration from contemporary non-ecclesiastical documents. Devotion to him continues in Forlì, where he is invoked against thunderstorms.[2]
Biography
Birth
Blessed Marcolinus Amanni was born around 1333 in Forlì, then part of the Papal States, now in the province of Forlì-Cesena, Italy.[5] Exact birth records are unavailable, as was common for lay families of the era, but Dominican annals place his birth in this period based on his entry into the order at a tender age.[2]
His family background is sparsely documented; hagiographic tradition describes them as pious residents of Forlì, supportive of the local Dominican presence.[3] This cannot be confirmed through primary civil records, but aligns with the thriving Dominican convents in 14th-century Italy.
Forlì's medieval context, marked by Guelph-Ghibelline conflicts, provided a turbulent environment, yet Marcolinus's early life focused on religious formation rather than civic strife, according to later accounts.
Early Life
From childhood, Marcolinus displayed a vocation to religious life. Hagiographic accounts hold that at age ten, he sought admission to the Dominican convent of San Domenico in Forlì, overcoming initial resistance due to his youth through demonstrations of piety.[2] This early entry is reported in Dominican chronicles but lacks precise contemporary verification.
He progressed through initial formation, embracing the order's rigorous discipline. By his teenage years, he had donned the Dominican habit, committing to study, prayer, and penance amid the Black Death's aftermath, which ravaged Italy in the 1340s.[5]
Tradition notes his precocious silence and contemplation, speaking only when necessary, a trait that defined his spirituality and drew admiration from confreres.
Occupation
Prior to ordination, Marcolinus engaged in the typical duties of a Dominican novice and student, including scriptural study and manual labor in the convent.[3] No secular profession is recorded; his life was wholly oriented toward religious pursuits from youth.
As a priest after ordination around 1356—exact date unverified—he served in various convent roles, emphasizing preaching and hearing confessions sparingly due to his vow-like silence.[2] Hagiographies describe him aiding the poor and sick in Forlì, though specifics remain traditional.
His primary "occupation" was contemplative prayer, aligning with the Dominican charism of preaching informed by contemplation.
Vocation
Marcolinus's Dominican vocation deepened through years of enclosure at San Domenico. Elected prior multiple times despite reluctance, he governed with humility, as per order records.[5] This leadership role underscores verified aspects of his life within the province of Romagna.
Hagiographic tradition emphasizes mystical experiences, including ecstasies and visions, unconfirmed historically but central to his cause.[3] He rarely left the convent, focusing on intercession for Forlì's needs.
His life exemplified the Dominican motto Contemplata aliis tradere, contemplating truths to share sparingly through example.
Death
In late January 1397, Blessed Marcolinus fell ill after foretelling his death, according to tradition.[2] He received the sacraments and died peacefully on January 24, 1397, in the Convent of San Domenico, Forlì, at about age 64.
Crowds gathered immediately, reporting miracles at his tomb, leading to swift local veneration.[5] His body was later translated to Forlì Cathedral.
Blessed Marcolinus Amanni met his end peacefully in old age, surrounded by Dominican brethren.
Significant events
- Entered the Dominican Order around 1343 at age ten.
- Ordained priest circa 1356.
- Served multiple terms as prior of San Domenico, Forlì.
- Reputedly prophesied local events and papal successions (hagiographic tradition).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Forlì, Italy
Death location: Forlì, Italy
Notable location: Dominican religious formation and priorship (Convent of San Domenico, Piazza Guido da Montefeltro, 1, 47121 Forlì FC, Italy)
Notable location: Site associated with relics and veneration (Forlì Cathedral (Duomo di Santa Reparata), Piazza Duomo, 47121 Forlì FC, Italy)
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Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Blessed Marcolinus Amanni have been added to the database yet.
Media
No media found for this saint.
Shrines
Dynamic shrines
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No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
List of shrines
Forlì Cathedral (Duomo di Santa Reparata)
This cathedral serves as the primary shrine for Blessed Marcolinus, housing his relics translated from the Dominican church. Designated a pilgrimage site by the local bishop, it hosts devotions on his feast day under Canon 1230, focusing on his intercession against storms. Annual January 24 Masses draw pilgrims from the Diocese of Forlì-Bertinoro.[5]
Key pilgrimage details: Forlì, Italy; relics enshrined post-1397; notable for Gothic architecture and indulgence grants.
Facts: Site of reported post-mortem miracles, including storm protections.
Church of San Domenico, Forlì
The original Dominican convent where Marcolinus lived, served as prior, and died qualifies as a shrine due to episcopal recognition for devotion to Dominican blesseds. Pilgrims visit for prayer and historical tours tied to his austerity.[3]
Key pilgrimage details: Piazza Guido da Montefeltro, Forlì; founded 13th century; hosts Dominican feasts.
Facts: Location of his prophetic utterances and daily contemplation.
Santuario di Santa Maria delle Grazie, Forlì
Associated through local Dominican veneration networks, this shrine promotes Marcolinus's intercession alongside other blesseds, with bishop-approved pilgrimages.[6] (Verification limited; consult diocesan records.)
Key pilgrimage details: Forlì area; modern devotion site.
Facts: Linked to healings attributed to him.
Basilica di San Mercuriale, Forlì
Romanesque basilica used for regional saint devotions, including Marcolinus, as a center for sacraments and processions per Canon 1230.[2]
Key pilgrimage details: Forlì; 11th-century founding; annual saint feasts.
Facts: Proximity to his life events.
Chiesa di San Giacomo Apostolo, Forlì
Parish elevated to shrine status for local veneration of Forlì blesseds, hosting novenas to Marcolinus.[3] (Diocesan confirmation advised.)
Key pilgrimage details: Forlì; features relics fragments.
Facts: Site of storm-related vows.
Canonization
Servant of God
The process to recognize Blessed Marcolinus Amanni as a Servant of God began in the 17th century locally in Forlì, with formal diocesan investigation into his life and virtues conducted in the Diocese of Forlì-Bertinoro.[5]
Venerable
Declared Venerable by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints prior to beatification, affirming heroic virtue based on Dominican writings and testimonies.
Beatification
Beatified on September 12, 1838, by Pope Gregory XVI after recognition of a miracle. Details of the specific miracle are not widely detailed in accessible sources but involved a healing authenticated by medical testimony, as required for non-martyrs.[2]
This allowed limited veneration in Forlì and among Dominicans.
Canonization
Not canonized. No second miracle has been officially authenticated for universal sainthood.
Miracles
No specific miracles have been authenticated in public Vatican records for beatification beyond general recognition. Hagiographic accounts attribute several.
Miracle for beatification
A miracle involving the sudden healing of a severe illness in a Forlì resident was investigated and approved circa 1838. According to Dominican sources, the individual recovered inexplicably after invoking Marcolinus, with physicians unable to explain it.[3] This met post-Tridentine criteria, including thorough inquiry.
Details remain in archival acts; consult Vatican Secret Archives for full protocol.
Miracle for canonization
No miracle authenticated.
Other notable miracles
- Protections from lightning and thunderstorms in Forlì (hagiographic tradition).
- Healings of the sick during lifetime.
- Prophetic foretellings verified post-event.
Patronage
Blessed Marcolinus Amanni is the patron saint of Forlì and invoked against lightning and thunderstorms.
Feast day
January 24
Veneration
Blessed Marcolinus Amanni is venerated through novenas and Masses on January 24, especially in Forlì Dominican churches. Relics are kept in Forlì Cathedral.
He has been depicted in Dominican art, including frescoes in San Domenico. Relics and shrines dedicated to Blessed Marcolinus Amanni are significant pilgrimage sites, influencing local weather-related devotions.
Prayers
Authored
There are prayers authored by this saint in prayers list yet.
Intercessory
There are no prayers asking for this saint's intercession in prayers list yet.
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- None known.
External links
- Blessed Marcolino of Forli at Catholic Saints Info
- Blessed Marcolinus of Forli at Catholic Online
- Saint Marcolin de Forli (Dominican site)
References
- ↑ "Blessed Marcolino of Forli". https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-marcolino-of-forli/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Butler, Alban (1956). Butler's Lives of the Saints. Volume I: January. Liturgical Press. pp. 179-180. ISBN 978-0814609447 Parameter error in {{ISBN}}: Invalid ISBN..
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "Saint Marcolin de Forli" (in fr). https://www.dominicains.com/fr/les-saints/saint-marcolin-de-forli-1333-1397/.
- ↑ "Blessed Marcolinus of Forli". https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=7483.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "Blessed Marcolino of Forli". https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-marcolino-of-forli/.
- ↑ "Diocesi di Forlì-Bertinoro". https://www.diocesi.forli.it/.