Saint of the Day – 6 February – St Guarinus Foscari CRSA (c1080-1158) Cardinal Bishop of Palestrina in Italy, from December 1144, Canon Regular of St Augustine, renowned for his great compassion and assistance to the poor of Palestrina. Born in c1080 in Bologna, Italy and died there of natural causes on 6 February 1158. He was Canonised by Pope Alexander III ia year after his death, in 1159. Also known as – Guarino, Guarinus of Palestrine, Guerin, Garin.
The Roman Martyrology states today: “At Bologna, St Guarinus, the Bishop of Palestrina and Cardinal, renowned for holiness of life.”
Guarinus Foscari was born in Bologna around 1080. He was a member of the noble Guarini household, while his mother was a Foscari. Guarinus Foscari was well educated and was quite fond of literature. Despite opposition from his parents, he was Ordained to the Priesthood at the age of 24. He was later named as the Canon of the Cathedral of Bologna. He was still at the Cathedral, when, in around 1104, he joined the Santa Croce Congregation of Canons at Mortara. Prior to his departure, he donated all of his goods to contribute towards the building of a hospital.
At the age of 59, Guarinus was elected to fill an opening which the death of the Bishop of Pavia created but evaded his Episcopal Consecration by escaping by clambering away, out of a window. Guarinus then went into hiding until another election was held.
During the Advent season of 1144, Pope Lucius II sent for him and he again attempted to avoid higher office. Lucius II had Guarinus arrested but he again escaped for a brief period. But again. Pope Lucius II had him appointed in December 1144 as the Cardinal-Bishop of Palestrina. He also bestowed on him a number of gifts suitable to a person of his new standing, including some fine horses which Guarinus immediately sold and distributing the funds to the poor.
Feeling unworthy of the position, Guarinus left his post twice. The first time, he was recalled from Subiaco due to the orders of Pope Eugene III. The second time he went to Ostia but, finding Saracens there,, he fled to Rome.
Guarinus was the Bishop for thirteen years and remained out of the troublesome Roman politics which so defined the time and temperament of Rome. As a Cardinal, he participated in three Conclaves which saw the elections of Pope Eugene III, Pope Anastasius IV and Pope Adrian IV.
Our Saint died at the age of 78 on 6 February 1158. He had been breatly loved for his humility and for his great generosity to the poor. He was Canonised by Pope Alexander III in 1159 just over a year after his death
Guarinus was buried in the Crypt of the Cathedral of Sant’Agapito. In 1473 Palestrina was looted and his remains were hidden for fear of desecration. Although a search was made in 1754, they were not located.
AnaStpaul 