# John Gualbert > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/John_Gualbert > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/John_Gualbert.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gualbert > Source revision: 1354589613 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Italian Roman Catholic saint Saint Giovanni Gualberto St. John Gualbert – Neri di Bicci (in Santa Trinita in Florence) Abbot Confessor Born c. 985 Florence, Tuscan Margrave Died 12 July 1073 (aged 88) Badia di Passignano, Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, Florence, Tuscan Margrave Venerated in Roman Catholic Church Canonized 24 October 1193, Old Saint Peter's Basilica, Papal States by Pope Celestine III Feast 12 July Attributes Benedictine habit Patronage Forest workers Foresters Park rangers Parks Badia di Passignano Vallumbrosan Order Italian Forest Corps Brazilian forests **Giovanni Gualberto** (c. 985 – 12 July 1073) was an Italian [Roman Catholic](/source/Roman_Catholic_Church) [abbot](/source/Abbot) and the founder of the [Vallumbrosan Order](/source/Vallumbrosan_Order). Born into a noble family, Gualberto was a predictably vain individual who sought pleasure in vanities and romantic intrigues. When his older brother Ugo was murdered, Gualberto set out for revenge. He found the murderer in [Florence](/source/Florence), but as it was Good Friday, granted the killer's plea for mercy. Soon after Gualberto became a member of the [Order of Saint Benedict](/source/Order_of_Saint_Benedict) though he left in order to found his own congregation. He condemned [nepotism](/source/Nepotism) and all [simoniacal](/source/Simony) actions and was known for the pureness and meekness of his faith. Even popes held him in high esteem.[1] Miracles were reported at his tomb after his death. [Pope Celestine III](/source/Pope_Celestine_III) canonized Gualberto on 24 October 1193.[2] ## Life Giovanni Gualberto was born circa 985 to nobles who hailed from the Visdomini house; he was born in the castle known as Poggio Petroio.[2] His sole sibling was his older brother Ugo.[1] He was also related to [Pietro Igneo](/source/Peter_Igneus). He was educated and raised Catholic but in his adolescence cared little for religion. He was instead focused on frivolous things and was concerned with vain amusements and romantic intrigues.[3] When his brother Ugo was murdered, Gualbert set out to avenge his death. Edward Burne-Jones – The Merciful Knight One [Good Friday](/source/Good_Friday) as he was entering [Florence](/source/Florence) with his armed followers, he happened, in a narrow lane, to come upon the man who had killed his brother. The killer fell upon his knees with arms outstretched in the form of a cross and begged for mercy in the name of Jesus, reminding Gualbert that Christ had died on that day. Gualberto granted him mercy and renounced his revenge.[4] Gualbert entered the [Benedictine](/source/Order_of_Saint_Benedict) church at [San Miniato al Monte](/source/San_Miniato_al_Monte) to pray and the figure on the crucifix is said to have bowed its head to him in recognition of his generous and merciful act. Gualbert begged pardon of his sins and that week cut off his hair and began to wear an old habit that he had borrowed. This tale forms the subject of [Burne-Jones](/source/Edward_Burne-Jones)'s picture "[The Merciful Knight](/source/The_Merciful_Knight)" and Shorthouse adapted this in "John Inglesant".[5] Bernardo Giambullari, *Storia e miracoli di San Giovanni Gualberto*, ca. 1500 Gualberto became a Benedictine monk at San Miniato despite his father's opposition. His father hastened to find his son but gave him his blessing when he heard his son's arguments and saw that he was resolute in his decision. But he counselled his son to do good.[1] He fought against [simoniacal](/source/Simony) actions of which both his abbot Oberto and the [Bishop of Florence](/source/Bishop_of_Florence) Pietro Mezzabarba were accused and their guilt discovered. Unwilling to compromise, he left to find a more solitary and strict life. He often fasted and imposed other strict penances on himself. His attraction was for the [cenobitic](/source/Cenobitic) and not [eremitic](/source/Eremitic) life so after he spent some time with the monks at [Camaldoli](/source/Camaldoli), but later settled at [Vallombrosa](/source/Vallombrosa) where he founded his own [convent](/source/Convent) in 1036.[3] Instead of a traditional garden he opted to have his monks plant trees (firs and pines for the most part). He founded additional convents for his order in locations such as Rozzuolo and [San Salvi](/source/San_Salvi). He became a noted figure for his compassion to the poor and the ill. [Pope Leo IX](/source/Pope_Leo_IX) travelled to Vallambrosa to see the monk. [Pope Stephen IX](/source/Pope_Stephen_IX) and Alexander II held him in the greatest esteem as did [Pope Gregory VII](/source/Pope_Gregory_VII) who praised Gualberto for the pureness and meekness of his faith as a staunch example of compassion and goodness.[1][2] Gualberto also admired the teachings of the [Church Fathers](/source/Church_Fathers) as well as [Basil of Caesarea](/source/Basil_of_Caesarea) and [Benedict of Nursia](/source/Benedict_of_Nursia) in particular. He never wished to be ordained to the [priesthood](/source/Priesthood) and nor did he even wish to receive the [minor orders](/source/Minor_orders). Gualbert died at the age of 80, in 1073.[3] ## Vallombrosians The holy lives of the first monks at Vallombrosa attracted considerable attention and brought many requests for new foundations, but there were few postulants, since few could endure the extraordinary austerity of the life. Thus only one other monastery, that of San Salvi at Florence, was founded during this period. But when the founder had mitigated his rule somewhat, three more monasteries were founded and three others reformed and united to the order during his lifetime. In the struggle of the popes against simony the early Vallumbrosans took a considerable part, of which the most famous incident is the ordeal by fire undertaken successfully by St. Peter Igneus in 1068. Shortly before this the monastery of S. Salvi had been burned and the monks ill-treated by the anti-reform party. These events still further increased the repute of Vallombrosa. A Bull of [Pope Urban II](/source/Pope_Urban_II) in 1090, which takes Vallombrosa under the protection of the Holy See, enumerates fifteen monasteries besides the motherhouse.[5] ## Veneration Gualbert was canonized by [Pope Celestine III](/source/Pope_Celestine_III) on 24 October 1193. His liturgical feast was not included in the [Tridentine calendar](/source/Tridentine_calendar) but was later added to the [General Roman Calendar](/source/General_Roman_Calendar) in 1595. Owing to its limited worldwide importance his feast was removed from that calendar in 1969.[6] The date assigned for his feast still remains as indicated in the [Roman calendar](/source/Roman_Martyrology) and according to the new rules given in the [Roman Missal](/source/Roman_Missal) in 1969 could still be celebrated across the globe with his own Mass unless in some places an important celebration is assigned and thus coincides.[7][8] The [Benedictines](/source/Benedictines) observe his day as an [Optional Memorial](/source/Optional_Memorial).[9] Gualberto is the patron saint for [foresters](/source/Foresters) and also is the patron for [park rangers](/source/Park_rangers) and [parks](/source/Parks). [Pope Pius XII](/source/Pope_Pius_XII) named him – in 1951 – as the patron saint for the [Italian Forest Corps](/source/State_Forestry_Corps) while he was named as the patron for Brazilian forests in 1957.[2] ## See also - [Biography portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Biography) - [Catholicism portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Catholicism) - [Saints portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Saints) - [Italy portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Italy) - [History portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:History) - [Astino Abbey](/source/Astino_Abbey) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BL_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BL_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-BL_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-BL_1-3) Rev. Alban Butler. ["*Lives of the Saints*"](http://www.bartleby.com/210/7/121.html). Bartleby. Retrieved 26 September 2017. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-SEB_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-SEB_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-SEB_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-SEB_2-3) ["San Giovanni Gualberto"](http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/33550). Santi e Beati. Retrieved 26 September 2017. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-cna_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-cna_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-cna_3-2) ["St. John Gualbert"](https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-john-gualbert-299). Catholic News Agency. 12 July 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Stracke, Richard. "St. John Gualbert: The Iconography", Christian Iconography, Augusta University](https://www.christianiconography.info/johnGualbert.html) 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Webster_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Webster_5-1) [Webster, Douglas Raymund. "Vallumbrosan Order." The Catholic Encyclopedia](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15262a.htm) Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 11 February 2019 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** "Calendarium Romanum" (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1969), p. 129. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** "Martyrologium Romanum" (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2001 [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [88-209-7210-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/88-209-7210-7)) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [General Instruction of the Roman Missal](http://www.acbc.catholic.org.au/documents/200707031933.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080720091216/http://www.acbc.catholic.org.au/documents/200707031933.pdf) 2008-07-20 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), 355 c. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [*Proper Masses for the Use of the Benedictine Confederation*](https://archive.org/details/proper-masses-for-the-use-of-the-benedictine-confederation). Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press. 1975. p. 9. ## Sources - F. Salvestrini, *Disciplina Caritatis, Il monachesimo vallombrosano tra medioevo e prima età moderna*, Rome, Viella, 2008. - F. Salvestrini, *Santa Maria di Vallombrosa. Patrimonio e vita economica di un grande monastero medievale*, Florence, Olschki, 1998. - Salvestrini, F. (2010). *Santa Vallombrosani in Liguria. Storia di una presenza monastica fra Dodicesimo e Diciassettesimo secolo*. Rome: Viella. - F. Salvestrini, ed. (2011). *I Vallombrosani in Lombardia (XI-XVIII secolo)*. Milan-Lecco: ERSAF. ## External links - Antonella Degl'Innocenti (2001), ["Giovanni Gualberto,"](http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/santo-giovanni-gualberto_(Dizionario-Biografico)) in: *Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani* Volume 56 (Treccani 2001). (in Italian) - [Patron Saints Index: *St John Gualbert*](https://web.archive.org/web/20060805140110/http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintj62.htm) - [SaintPatrickDC.org](http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0712.shtml) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20091230065650/http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0712.shtml) 2009-12-30 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) - [Lives of the Saints](http://magnificat.ca/cal/en/saints/john_gualbert.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170926143852/http://magnificat.ca/cal/en/saints/john_gualbert.html) 2017-09-26 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) - [Catholic Exchange](http://catholicexchange.com/st-john-gualbert) Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Giovanni Gualberto](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Giovanni_Gualberto). v t e Confessors who are Saints of the Catholic Church Dicastery for the Causes of Saints Stages of canonization: Servant of God → Venerable → Blessed → Saint Adomnán Æthelwold of Winchester Albert Chmielowski Albert of Trapani Alberto Hurtado Aldhelm Aloysius Gonzaga Amato Ronconi Anatolius André Bessette Andrew Zorard Angela of Foligno Anselm of Lucca Anthony of Kiev Anthony Zaccaria Antoninus of Florence Artémides Zatti Athanasius Athanasius the Athonite Benedict of Aniane Benedict of Nursia Benedict the Moor Bernardino of Siena Bruno di Segni Bruno of Cologne Camillus de Lellis Carlo Acutis Casimir Cajetan Chariton Charles Borromeo Charles of Sezze Clotilde Conrad of Piacenza Cunigunde of Luxembourg Cuthbert Dominic Dominic Savio Dunstan Earconwald Edmund of Abingdon Edward Egidio Maria of Saint Joseph Eligus Elizabeth of Hungary Eusebius of Vercelli Ferdinand III of Castile Frances of Rome Francis of Assisi Francis Borgia Francis Caracciolo Francis of Paola Frei Galvão Gerard Majella Germain of Paris Gerolamo Emiliani Gianna Beretta Molla Gregory of Tours Gregory Thaumaturgus Guthlac of Crowland Hedwig of Silesia Henry II Homobonus Hosius of Corduba Hugh of Lincoln Humilis of Bisignano Ignatius of Loyola Isidore the Laborer Ivo of Kermartin James of the Marches Jadwiga Jean-Baptiste de La Salle John Bosco John Cantius John Gualbert John of Beverley John of Capistrano John of Matha John of Sahagún John Climacus John Eudes John of God John Vianney Jose Gabriel del Rosario Brochero José Gregorio Hernández José Maria de Yermo y Parres Józef Bilczewski Józef Sebastian Pelczar Joseph Calasanz Joseph of Cupertino Justus of Lyon Jutta of Kulmsee Juvenal of Narni Lazarus Zographos Liborius of Le Mans Lidwina Lorcán Ua Tuathail Louis IX of France Louis Bertrand Louis de Montfort Ludovico of Casoria Maiolus of Cluny Margaret of Cortona Martin de Porres Martin of Tours Maximus Maurus Michael of Synnada Monica Narcissus of Jerusalem Neot Nicholas Nicholas of Flüe Nicholas of Tolentino Norbert of Xanten Odilo of Cluny Odo of Cluny Pacificus of San Severino Paphnutius Paschal Baylón Paschasius Radbertus Paul I of Constantinople Paul of the Cross Paula of Rome Paulinus of Nola Pelagia Peregrine Laziosi Peter of Alcántara Peter Claver Peter Faber Peter Julian Eymard Peter Nolasco Philip Neri Pier Giorgio Frassati Pietro I Orseolo Pio of Pietrelcina Prosper of Aquitaine Rafael Guízar y Valencia Raphael Kalinowski Raymond of Peñafort Raymond Nonnatus Rita of Cascia Roch Romuald Salonius Salvador of Horta Sergius of Radonezh Simón de Rojas Sylvester Gozzolini Stanislaus Kostka Swithun Theodore the Studite Theophanes Thomas of Villanova Ulrich of Augsburg Vincent de Paul Vincent Ferrer Walstan Wilfrid William of Montevergine Wolfgang of Regensburg Wulfram of Sens Wulfstan Zdislava Berka Zygmunt Gorazdowski Zygmunt Szczęsny Feliński Catholic Church portal Saints portal Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States Poland People Italian People Deutsche Biographie DDB Other IdRef Yale LUX --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [John Gualbert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gualbert) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gualbert?action=history)). 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