12th July, St. John Gualbert, Abbot

St. John Gualbert, Abbot

John Gualbert was born at Florence, towards 999. One Good Friday, escorted by his armed attendants, he met alone and unattended, the murderer of his brother. He was about to pierce him with his lance when the murderer threw himself at his feet and craved pardon for the sake of Jesus crucified. John remembered the loving words of the Gospel and embraced him as a brother.

Still more touched by grace he became a monk and soon a lawgiver like Moses (Epistle), he founded at Vallombrosa in Tuscany a new Order to which he gave the rule of St. Benedict (Communion) and which is still flourishing after more than eight centuries of existence.

Simony reigned everywhere in Italy. His firmness and eloquence banished this disorder from Tuscany and brought back his country to integrity of faith and manners. So, when he died in 1073, they inscribed on his tomb: To John Gualbert, citizen of Florence, liberator of Italy.

Os justi meditabitur sapientiam, et lingua ejus loquetur judicium: lex Dei ejus in corde ipsius. * Noli aemulari in malignantibus: neque zelaveris facientes iniquitatem.

The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak judgement: the law of his God is in his heart. * Be not emulous of evildoers: nor envy them that work iniquity.

(Psalm 36:30-31 and 1 from the Introit of Mass)

May the intercession of the blessed Abbot John, we beseech Thee, O Lord, commend us unto Thee, that what we cannot have through our own merits, we may obtain through his patronage.

(Collect)

From the Catholic Encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15262a.htm