Saint of the Day – 5 October – Blessed Matthew Carreri OP (c 1420-1470) Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers, Stigmatic, Mystic, Reformer, renowned Preacher. Born Giovanni Francesco Carrieri in the City of Mantua, Italy some time around 1420 and died on 5 October 1470 at Vigevano, Province of Pavia, Italy of natural causes. Patronage – Vigevano, Italy. Also known as – Matthew of Mantua, Matteo Carreri. Additional Memorial – 7 October on some calendars.

Giovanni Francesco grew up a silent and prayerful child, a good student and a great reader. These qualities seemed to recommend him to the Preaching Friars and at an early age, he presented himself at the Convent in his home City and received the Habit. He took the name Matthew when he entered the Dominican Order. His later success as a preacher was inarguably, attributable, to the significant time he spent in spiritual exercises and meditation

Matthews’s career as a preacher began soon after his Ordination, when he was sent to Lombardy to preach against the heretics. He succeeded admirably in his preaching and converted many to a spiritual way of life. Travelling from Convent to Convent, he preached a revival of fervour and a deeper understanding of the spirit of St Dominic, and many of the religious of Lombardy-both Dominicans and members of other Orders,were led by him to renew their devotion and fervour..

At on time, when he was preaching in Vigevano, a troupe of jugglers came into Town and set up their act. They were a particularly scandalous set of people, poking ridicule at the religious and the pope. Matthew sent them word to move on, which they ignored. So he went after them with his walking-stick and this proved more effective. They scattered and ran but soon came back, fortified with the presence of the Duke of Milan, who scolded Matthew for being so narrow-minded and humourless. Matthew patiently pointed out to him, the unhealthy and evil areas in their humour and, in spite of the Duke’s natural aversion to Friars, convinced him that he should keep the jugglers out of Town.

At Lucina, there was a lady of noble birth and great talents, who was wasting her time in frivolities. Never one to avoid an issue, Matthew aimed a powerful sermon in her direction and she came to him afterwards ,in a torrent of tears and begged him to help her. He gave her the Habit of the Third Order and outlined a stiff rule of life, which she afterwards faithfully followed.

He also met and directed Blessed Stephanie Quinzan who proved to be an apt pupil.

Matthew was given the task of reforming the Convents of the Dominican Friars in Soncino and in nearby Towns and he worked for many years in Milan. Going up and down the Peninsula, he varied his approach but never his message – penance and love of God. So many were the conversions effected that a whole group of additional Preachers had to be appointed, to continue to carry on Matthew’s powerful methods and message, as he moved rapidly from place to place. Preaching his way, he went through Tuscany, and took ship at Genoa.

The ship was soon captured by a Turkish corsair. The Mohammed Captain called on the three Dominicans for an explanation of why they were there. Matthew spoke up so fearlessly and eloquently that the Captain released all three of them. Just as they were being hustled off to a rescue boat, the wail of one of the woman passengers stopped them. The lady and her young daughter were resisting the journey and were afraid to be taken to Algiers,and Matthew began pleading for them. The Captain told him he had better let the affair alone and be satisfied that he had saved his own skin. Matthew thereupon, volunteered to go to Algiers, in chains, if the Captain would release the two women. Amazed at his courage, as well as at his defence of those in danger, the Captain released all of them and told them to get off of his ship quickly, before he changed his mind.

Many miracles are credited to Matthew Carreri. One day, a young father who came to hear Matthew preach, had left his little son at home with the nurse. The baby fell into the fire and was badly burned. The distraught father brought the little one to Matthew, who cured him. The baby was well in a few days and grew up to be a Franciscan Friar. Matthew cured another man of hemorrhage and worked many cures on the sick and possessed.

One day, , while meditating on the Passion, Matthew asked our Lord tp allow him to partake of His sufferings. He received the stigmata, in the form of an arrow which pierced his heart. For the remainder of his life, he suffered great pain from his wound.

Matthew Carreri died, in 1470, in a house composed entirely of religious whom he had rescued from a life a laxity. His cult was confirmed twelve years after his death, testifying to the great reputation for sanctity he enjoyed among the people of northern Italy.

Pope Sixtus VI confirmed his cultus in 1483 and he was formally Beatified by Pope Urban VIII on 2 December 1625.