Saint Galdinus
Saint Galdinus of Milan (born c. 1100 AD in Milan, Italy; died April 18, 1176 AD in Milan, Italy) was Archbishop of Milan and Cardinal, a close ally of Pope Alexander III against Emperor Frederick Barbarossa during the investiture controversies of the 12th century. He suffered exile with the pope, returned triumphant to Milan after the Peace of Constance negotiations, and died while preaching a sermon to his flock. He is patron of Milan. His feast day is April 18.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Galdinus
| Saint Galdinus | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | April 18 |
| Profession | Archbishop; cardinal; papal legate; defender of Church freedom |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Archbishop of Milan 1166–1176 |
| Patronage | Milan; archbishops; the Ambrosian Church; those who die at their post |
| Attributes | Archbishop's vestments and pallium; model of Milan Cathedral; crossed keys (cardinal); palm (defender of Church) |
| Birthplace | Milan, Lombardy, Italy |
| Death Place | Milan, Lombardy, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes; died while preaching a sermon on April 18, 1176 |
| Primary Shrine | Cathedral of Milan (Duomo di Milano) — the metropolitan see; relics here; venerated as patron |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman Calendar; feast April 18; observed in Archdiocese of Milan |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Galdinus della Sala was born around 1100 into a noble Milanese family. He entered the service of the Archdiocese of Milan and rose to become Chancellor and then Cardinal of the Church, closely associated with Pope Alexander III in his long conflict with Emperor Frederick Barbarossa (Barbarossa supported the anti-popes Victor IV and Paschal III against the legitimate Pope Alexander III).
When Barbarossa sacked Milan in 1162, Galdinus went into exile in France with Pope Alexander III. He was appointed Archbishop of Milan in 1166 while still in exile. He returned to Milan after the emperor's reverses and was present during the period leading up to the Battle of Legnano (1176), in which the Lombard League — supported by the papacy — defeated Frederick.
On April 18, 1176, while preaching a sermon to his congregation, Galdinus collapsed and died in the pulpit. This death in harness — the bishop dying while addressing his flock — was seen as the ideal Christian death for a pastor. He was canonized by Pope Celestine III in 1195.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Milan, Lombardy, Italy
Death location: Milan, Lombardy, Italy
Notable location: His archiepiscopal see; Archbishop of Milan from 1166 until his death; the Cathedral of Milan (Duomo di Milano) and the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio honor him; he is co-patron of Milan (Milan, Lombardy, Italy)
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Cathedral of Milan (Duomo di Milano), Milan — his archiepiscopal see; venerated here as patron.
- Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, Milan — venerated in the Ambrosian tradition.
Feast day
April 18
Veneration
Saint Galdinus is venerated in the Archdiocese of Milan with a feast day on April 18.
Prayers
Authored
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Intercessory
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