Saint/s of the Day – 2 July – Blessed/s Giovanni (Died c1420) and Pietro da Fabriano Becchetti OSA (Died c1421) Priests and cousins (some sources make them brothers) of the Order of the Hermits of Saint Augustine. Born in the 14th Century in Fabriano, Italy and died in the 15th Century in the their Birth Town. Also known as – John and Peter Becchetti.
In the history of the Order we read: “In Fabriano in the Marches, commemoration of the blesseds Giovanni and Pietro Becchetti, Priests of the Order of the Hermits of St Augustine; united more by the same way of life than by blood ties; they died in 1420 and 1421, respectively.”
Blessed Giovanni Becchetti
Giovanni, who had taught at Rimini, earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Theology in 1385. He then was sent to Oxford, England for further study. There he earned his Master’s in Theology.
He returned to Italy and was appointed as the Director of the Augustinian House of Studies in Perugia.
The date of Giovanni’s death is not known. We know that he was still living in May 1420, as a letter written by him on 7 May of that year is preserved in the Archives of the Order in Rome.
Blessed Pietro Becchetti
Documents show that Pietro was studying for the Degree of Lector in Theology in 1385. He was professor in the Augustinian House of Studies in Rimini in 1388.
While he was in Rimini, the Prior General appointed him Visitator to investigate a complaint which had been made about that House. Later he was professor in Venice.
Greatly devoted to the Passion of Christ, Pietro made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to follow Our Lord’s Steps and to visit Jesus’ holy Tomb.
The date of Pietro’s death is not known. We know that he was still living in 1421, as there is record of the Prior General having written a letter to him on 20 February of that year.
Both Giovanni and Pietro died at Fabriano. Their remains are preserved at the Church of Saint Augustine there.
Both being distinguished by their scholarly wisdom, personal piety, deep prayer life and preaching, our Blesseds were Beatified in 1835 by Pope Gregory XVI.
AnaStpaul 