Saint of the Day – 22 March – Blessed Hugolinus Zefferini OSA (c1320-1367) Pries

Saint of the Day – 22 March – Blessed Hugolinus Zefferini OSA (c1320-1367) Priest, Friar of the Hermits of St Augustine, Hermit, Miracle-worker. Born in c1320 in Cortona, Arezzo, Italy and died in 1367 of natural causes. Also known as – Hugolinus of Cortona, Hugolinus Zephyrini, Hugolino, Ugolino. Patronage – Cortona, Italy (chosen by the citizeins in 1508). Blessed Hugolinus was Beatified in 1804 by Pope Pius VII (cultus confirmed).

Hugolinus was born into the noble Zefferini family. Whilst still a baby, his family were forced to flee Cortona due to civil unrest and strife. They moved to Mantua where, in time, Hugolinus became a Page in the Court of the Gonzagas.

But Hugolinus found himself extremely unhappy in the worldly and often dissapated life of the Court. He felt a great desire to give himself to the Lord in the religious life.

In 1336, Hugolinus joined the Augustinian Friars at the Monastery of St Agnes in Mantua. After his studies he was Ordained to the Priesthood. He lived a holy life within the Monastery in Mantua for 18 years but felt a calling to the solitary life and a closer union with his Creator. His gentle and kind nature endeared him to his brethren Friars and to all who knew him.

Obtaining permission, he returned to his hometown of Cortona and devoted himself to a life of prayer and contemplation as a Hermit. His holiness attracted many to attend him for spiritual guidance and for his prayers for their illnesses and he thus became greatly loved by all.

He died in 1367 and his body was enshrined in the Church of St Agostino in Corona, where many miracles occured. He was Beatified by his cultus being confirmed in 1804 by Pope Pius VII.