Saint of the Day – 6 May – Blessed Bartolomeo Pucci-Franceschi OFM (Died 1330) Priest and Friar of the Friars Minor after having been a husband and father of 4. Confessor, Mystic and Miracle-worker. Born latter 13th century in Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy and died on 6 May 1330 in Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy of natural causes.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In Montepulciano in Tuscany, blessed Bartolomeo Pucci-Franceschi, Priest of the Order of Minors, who, having left his wife, children and all his possessions for the love of God, became Christ’s poor man.”
Bartolomeo was born in Montepulciano in the second half of the 13th century. From a noble family, he married the daughter of Captain Tommaso del Pecora, Millia, with whom he had four children. In 1290, when his children reached the age of majority, Bartholomew and his wife, were able to embrace the religious vocation. Bartolomeo joined the Order of Minors of the City Convent of St Francis
From rich he became poor, for love of Christ and if many admired him he had to bear the contempt of those who considered him a madman. The humble Franciscan led the rest of his life between prayers, visions of the Madonna and angels. Considered by his fellow citizens as a chosen soul, he worked miracles while still alive.
Fra Bartolomeo died, as a very old, on 6 May 1330 in Montepulciano and was buried in the Church of the Convent. The relics were then transferred, in 1930, to the Church of St Augustine. On 24 June 1880, Pope Leo XIII confirmed his cult from immemorial times.
The example of Blessed Bartholomew is singular, in fact he reconciled, during his life, the different vocations of man: as a spouse, as a parent and as a religious consecrated to God.
AnaStpaul 