Saint of the Day – 2 June – Saint Guido of Acqui (c 1004-1070) Patron Saint against Famine

Saint of the Day – 2 June – Saint Guido of Acqui (c 1004-1070) Bishop of Acqu in north-west Italy from 1034 until his death, zealous Reformer both in the lives of his clergy and his people. He built the Cathedral of Acqui amongst other religious buildings, including a Convent for Nuns. He donated his personal inheritance to the upkeep of the Diocese, the poor and for his building projects. Born in c 1004 in Acqui, Italy and died on 2 June 1070 of natural causes after 36 years as the Bishop of his home town, of which he is the Patron. Patronages – against famine, Diocese of Acqui, Italy, Acqui Terme, Italy. Also known as – Guy, Guisto, Guy, Vido, Wido.

Guido was born around 1004 to a noble family of the area of Acqui, the Counts of Acquesana, in Melazzo where the family’s wealth was concentrated.

He completed his education, by now an orphan, in Bologna. Guido was elected as the Bishop of Acqui in March 1034, aged just 30 years. His career was marked by reform in the areas of the Liturgy, the teaching of his flock and increasing their devotion and morality.

He was generous in donating his own money and possessions to the Diocese, in part to remove the economic pressures which had led to widespread corruption and, in part, to support new projects . The latter included the promotion of the education of young women and the foundation of the Convent of Santa Maria De Campis.

Under his government, too, Acqui Cathedral was erected, dedicated to the Madonna Assunta and consecrated on 13 November 1067.

Guido died on 2 June 1070. His remains are preserved in the Cathedral which he founded. His feast day is recorded in the Martyrologium Romanum as 2 June, the anniversary of his death . In Acqui, however, it is celebrated on the second Sunday of July. He was Canonised in 1853 by Pope Blessed Pius IX .