Saint Crispin of Viterbo
Saint Crispin of Viterbo (born Pietro Fioretti, November 13, 1668 AD in Viterbo, Lazio, Italy; died May 19, 1750 AD in Rome, Italy) was an Italian Capuchin lay brother renowned for his humility, his miraculous abilities, and his loving service of the poor. He worked as a gardener and quaestor (beggar for alms) for his friary, and was famous throughout the Viterbo region for miraculous cures and consolations. He was beatified in 1806 and canonized in 1982. His feast day is May 19.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Crispin of Viterbo
| Saint Crispin of Viterbo | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | May 19 |
| Profession | Capuchin Franciscan lay brother; gardener; quaestor (collector of alms) |
| Rel. Affiliation | Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (Capuchins) |
| Patronage | Viterbo; lay brothers; gardeners; the poor; Capuchins |
| Attributes | Capuchin habit; basket of provisions (his role as quaestor); flowers; oil vessel (the miracle of the oil) |
| Birthplace | Viterbo, Viterbo Province, Lazio, Italy |
| Death Place | Rome, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes; died at the Capuchin friary in Rome |
| Primary Shrine | Capuchin Church of the Immacolata, Viterbo — his relics enshrined here |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Pietro Fioretti was born in 1668 in Viterbo into a modest family. He grew up with a reputation for kindness and simplicity. At the age of 25 he entered the Capuchin friars and received the name Crispin (Crispino). As a lay brother, he served in several friaries in the area around Viterbo — including Viterbo, Orvieto, Albano, and Monterosi — in the humble roles of cook, gardener, and quaestor (the brother who goes out begging alms to support the friary).
His quaestor role brought him into daily contact with the poor of the surrounding villages and countryside, and he was known for extraordinary generosity: he frequently gave away the alms he had collected to the very poor he encountered on the road, arriving back at the friary with little — and yet the friary's needs were always mysteriously met.
He was credited with miraculous cures, bilocation (appearing simultaneously in two places), prophecy, and other supernatural gifts. People came from throughout the region to seek his blessing and intercession. His superior often found him in ecstasy at prayer.
He was sent to Rome in his old age and died there on May 19, 1750. Pope Pius VII beatified him in 1806; Pope John Paul II canonized him in 1982.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Viterbo, Viterbo Province, Lazio, Italy
Death location: Rome, Italy
Notable location: His birthplace and the city where he served as a Capuchin lay brother for most of his life; his shrine is here (Viterbo, Lazio, Italy)
Notable location: One of the friaries where he served; he was known throughout the region for miraculous cures and consolations (Orvieto, Terni Province, Umbria, Italy)
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Capuchin Church of the Immacolata, Viterbo — his relics; principal place of veneration.
Feast day
May 19
Veneration
Saint Crispin of Viterbo is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast day on May 19 (Optional Memorial).
Prayers
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