Giovanni da Penna
Giovanni da Penna was an Italian Roman Catholic priest and a member of the Order of Friars Minor. He joined the Franciscans in 1213 and spent over two decades establishing Franciscan houses in France before returning to Italy for a life of quiet retirement. He was beatified by Pope Pius VII in 1806 due to enduring local devotion.
Key Facts
- ›Giovanni da Penna was born in Penna San Giovanni in 1193.
- ›He became a professed member of the Order of Friars Minor in 1213.
- ›He spent over two decades in France, founding several houses for the Franciscan order in Provence.
- ›Giovanni da Penna returned to the Italian peninsula in 1242 and lived in cloistered retirement for nearly three decades.
- ›He died on 3 April 1271 after a week of suffering, which he chose to expiate his sins.
- ›His beatification was approved by Pope Pius VII on 20 December 1806.
About Giovanni da Penna
Giovanni da Penna was an Italian Roman Catholic priest and a professed member of the Order of Friars Minor, who lived from 1193 to 1271. His life was marked by missionary work in France and a later period of devout retirement.
Life and historical context
Born in Penna San Giovanni in 1193, Giovanni da Penna felt called to religious life after hearing Fra Filippo, a disciple of Francis of Assisi, preach. He became a Franciscan in 1213. Shortly thereafter, he was ordained a priest and was sent to Languedoc in France in 1217 to spread the Franciscan mission. His apostolate in France spanned over two decades, during which he founded several houses for the order in the Provence region.
In 1242, Giovanni da Penna was summoned back to the Italian peninsula. He spent the remaining nearly thirty years of his life in cloistered retirement, dedicating himself to prayer and reflection. He also played a role in settling civil unrest in his hometown in 1248 by writing a pact used during negotiations. Towards the end of his life, he experienced a week of intense suffering and spiritual trials, including a vision of the devil listing his sins. He died on April 3, 1271, after this period of expiation.
Beatification
Giovanni da Penna's beatification received papal approval from Pope Pius VII on December 20, 1806. The Pope decreed that a continuous and popular local devotion, known as a 'cultus', had endured through the centuries, justifying his beatification.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Giovanni da Penna born and when did he die?
Giovanni da Penna was born in 1193 and died on April 3, 1271. He lived to be approximately 78 years old.
What religious order did Giovanni da Penna belong to?
Giovanni da Penna was a professed member of the Order of Friars Minor, commonly known as the Franciscans. He joined the order in 1213.
What was Giovanni da Penna's primary role in the Franciscan order?
After becoming a priest, Giovanni da Penna was instrumental in establishing Franciscan houses. He spent over two decades in France overseeing this work before returning to Italy.
When and by whom was Giovanni da Penna beatified?
Giovanni da Penna was beatified by Pope Pius VII on December 20, 1806. This followed a decree recognizing an enduring and popular local devotion to him.
Where did Giovanni da Penna spend most of his life?
Giovanni da Penna spent over two decades in France establishing Franciscan houses. After returning to Italy in 1242, he lived in quiet, cloistered retirement for the remaining nearly three decades of his life.
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