Saint John Gaulbert Abbot
Saint John Gualbert (born c. 995 AD in Florence, Tuscany, Italy; died July 12, 1073 AD in Passignano, Tuscany, Italy) was a Florentine nobleman who became a Benedictine monk and founded the Vallombrosan Order — a reformed congregation of Benedictine monks noted for strict observance and the use of lay brothers. His life began with a decision of extraordinary mercy: on Good Friday, he forgave the murderer of his brother and embraced him rather than killing him in revenge. He then entered a monastery and later experienced a vision of Christ bowing to him from the crucifix. He was canonized in 1193. His feast day is July 12.
Stored in Cargo: Saint John Gaulbert Abbot
| Saint John Gaulbert Abbot | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | July 12 |
| Profession | Nobleman; Benedictine monk; monastic reformer; founder |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Benedictine Order; Vallombrosan Congregation (founder); reforming monasticism in 11th-century Tuscany |
| Patronage | Florence; Tuscany; Vallombrosan Order; those who have been unjustly treated; those who show mercy; monastic reformers |
| Attributes | Benedictine habit; crucifix bowing (his vision at San Miniato); sword sheathed (his forgiveness); forested valley (Vallombrosa) |
| Birthplace | Florence, Tuscany, Italy |
| Death Place | Passignano sul Trasimeno, Perugia Province, Umbria, Italy (his monastery of Passignano) |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes; died at his monastery of Passignano, July 12, 1073 |
| Primary Shrine | Abbey of Vallombrosa, Reggello, Tuscany, Italy — the mother house of his order; a forested mountain setting; active Vallombrosan monastic community; literary fame from Milton; also the Abbey of Passignano (where he died) |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Calendar, July 12) |
| Historic Class | Double (July 12) |
Biography
John Gualbert (Giovanni Gualberto in Italian) was born around 995 into the Visdomini family, a noble Florentine clan. His older brother Hugh was murdered. John, as a younger son of a noble house, was expected by honor to avenge the killing.
On Good Friday, probably around 1015–1020, John encountered the murderer on a road near Florence. He had his sword drawn and the man was cornered. But the man threw himself on the ground and crossed his arms in the form of a cross, begging mercy for the sake of Christ. It was Good Friday — the day Christ had forgiven his own murderers. John was struck by this and put up his sword. He embraced the man and let him go.
He went immediately to the Benedictine church of San Miniato al Monte on the hill above Florence, knelt before the crucifix, and prayed. The crucified figure bowed its head to him. He asked to be received as a monk.
After some years as a monk, dissatisfied with lax observance, he left San Miniato and eventually founded a new community in the valley of Vallombrosa (Vallis Umbrosa, shady valley) in the Apennines above Florence, around 1036. The community grew and became the mother house of the Vallombrosan Order, formally recognized by the papacy.
The Vallombrosans were fervent supporters of the Gregorian Reform. When the bishop of Florence was accused of simony, Vallombrosan monks challenged him to trial by fire; a monk named Peter Aldobrandini (later Peter Igneus) walked through the fire and emerged unharmed — a sensation that contributed to the church reform movement. John died at his monastery of Passignano on July 12, 1073.
Pope Celestine III canonized him in 1193. John Milton mentioned Vallombrosa in *Paradise Lost* (Book I, line 302): thick as autumnal leaves that strow the brooks / In Vallombrosa.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Death location: Passignano sul Trasimeno, Perugia Province, Umbria, Italy (his monastery of Passignano)
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Dynamic content
Parishes
No parishes dedicated to John Gualbert have been added to the database yet.
Media
No media found for this saint.
Shrines
Dynamic shrines
No results
No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
Known shrines
- Abbey of Vallombrosa, Reggello, Tuscany, Italy — mother house; active monastic community; literary fame.
- San Miniato al Monte, Florence, Italy — site of the bowing crucifix vision.
- Abbey of Passignano, Umbria, Italy — place of his death.
Feast day
July 12
Veneration
Saint John Gualbert is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church on July 12 as an Optional Memorial. He is the founder of the Vallombrosan Order.
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.