Blessed Mark of Montegallo
Blessed Mark of Montegallo (born about 1425 AD in Montegallo, Marche, Italy; died March 19, 1496 AD in Vicenza, Italy) was an Italian physician who became a Franciscan friar of the Observant reform, a preacher, and a promoter of the montes pietatis—charitable pawnshops founded to rescue the poor from usury. He is also known by the Italian form of his name, Marco da Montegallo. He is venerated as a Blessed of the Church. His feast day is March 20.
Trained as a doctor and married before entering religious life, Mark of Montegallo brought his learning and compassion to the service of the poor, preaching charity and establishing institutions to relieve those burdened by debt. His cultus was confirmed in the nineteenth century.
Stored in Cargo: Blessed Mark of Montegallo
| Blessed Mark of Montegallo | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | March 20 |
| Profession | Physician; Franciscan Observant friar; preacher; promoter of the montes pietatis |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Order of Friars Minor (Observants) |
| Patronage | Against poverty and usury; the montes pietatis |
| Attributes | Franciscan habit |
| Birthplace | Montegallo, Marche, Italy |
| Death Place | Vicenza, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; Franciscan Observant friar and preacher; died at Vicenza |
| Primary Shrine | Vicenza, Italy |
Biography
Mark of Montegallo was born about 1425 at Montegallo, in the Marche region of central Italy. He studied medicine, reportedly at the universities of Bologna and Perugia, and practiced as a physician; at his father's wish he also married. After a time, he and his wife agreed by mutual consent to embrace the religious life, she entering a convent of Poor Clares and he joining the Order of Friars Minor among the Observants.
As a friar he devoted himself to preaching, traveling through the towns and countryside of Italy to call the people to conversion and to works of charity. He was especially zealous against the practice of usury, which impoverished many of the poor, and he became a promoter of the montes pietatis—charitable institutions that lent money at little or no interest, sparing the needy from ruinous debt. He is associated in particular with the mont of Ascoli Piceno and encouraged similar foundations elsewhere. He also composed devotional and instructional works for the faithful.
Mark of Montegallo died at Vicenza on March 19, 1496. He was long venerated as a Blessed, and his cultus was confirmed in 1839 during the pontificate of Pope Gregory XVI. His feast is kept on March 20.
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Parishes
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Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| The Life of Blessed Mark of Montegallo | 5–15 minutes | Daily Lives of Franciscan Saints |
| Mar 21 - Bl. Mark of Montegallo - Franciscan Saint of the Day | 5–15 minutes | Franciscan Media |
| The Life of Blessed Mark of Montegallo | 5–15 minutes | Radio Immaculata |
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Feast day
March 20
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