Saint of the Day – 24 March – St Aldemar the Wise OSB (985-c1080) Priest, Abbot, founder of many Monasteries, Miracle-worker Born in 985 in Capua, Italy and died in c1080 in Bucchianico, Italy of natural causes. Patronage – of the Town of Bucchianico, Italy. Also known as – Aldemar of Capua, Aldemar of Bucchhianico, Aldemaro, Aldemario.
As a boy, Aldemar was sent to the famous Monastery founded by St Benedict, Monte Cassino. He grew in his studies and became known as “Aldemar the Wise.” As a youth he became a Monk at Monte Cassino and was Ordained Deacon.
Because of his learning and insight, a Princess, named Aloara of Capua (died 992), of a nearby region asked Aldemar to lead a new Monastery, that of the Capuan Monastery of San Lorenzo, which she had founded. He accepted and was given permission to take on the role. Here he was Ordained to the Priesthood and ruled as the Abbot.
In the course of his duties it became clear that he had been given the gift of working miracles. The wonders he worked attracted much attention, however, so his Abbot recalled him to Monte Cassino.
The Princess took offence at this and a dispute arose. Aldemar decided to escape to a different town to live with three religious brothers. One of the brothers came to dislike him and even tried to murder Aldemar.
The brother intended to shoot Aldemar with a crossbow but mishandled the weapon and wounded himself in the arm. The injury worsened until Aldemar prayed for the brother, and he was cured.
After this, Aldemar left the Convent and went first to San Liberatore and then to Farafiliorumpetri, where he built the Monastery of Santa Eufemia . Later he founded other monasteries in the region of Chieti and in Piceno. Aldemar directed all of these communities.
After his death his body was translated to Bucchianico, in the Church of Saint Urban, where it rests today and where he is venerated as the Patron Saint of the Town.
AnaStpaul 