Bienheureux Jean de
Verceil
Maître général de l'ordre
des frères prêcheurs (+ 1283)
Né dans la province de Verceil en Italie, il était maître en droit canon de l'Université de Paris lors de son entrée dans l'Ordre dominicain. Elu 6ème maître de l'Ordre au chapitre de Paris en juin 1264, il demeura en charge pendant vingt ans. Il recourut plusieurs fois aux conseils théologiques de saint Thomas d'Aquin et prit sa défense quand celui-ci fut attaqué par l'évêque de Paris. Il eut une grande influence au concile de Lyon en 1274. C'est lui qui fit édifier à Bologne le tombeau de saint Dominique. Austère et pacifique, voyageur infatigable, il promut avec force l'étude, la pauvreté et la prédication évangélique. Il mourut à Montpellier le 29 novembre 1283.
À Montpellier, en 1283, le bienheureux Jean de Verceil, prêtre, maître général
de l’Ordre des Prêcheurs, qui prêcha avec force le respect dû au nom de Jésus.
Martyrologe romain
SOURCE : http://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/206/Bienheureux-Jean-de-Verceil.html
Bienheureux Jean de
Verceil
Général des Frères
Prêcheurs
Fête le 1er décembre
Verceil, Piémont – † Montpellier, Hérault, 29 novembre 1283
Né dans la province de Verceil en Italie, il était maître en droit canon de
l’Université de Paris lors de son entrée dans l’Ordre dominicain. Élu sixième
maître de l’Ordre au chapitre de Paris en juin 1264, il demeura en charge
pendant vingt ans. Il recourut plusieurs fois aux conseils théologiques de
saint Thomas d’Aquin et prit sa défense quand celui-ci fut attaqué par l’évêque
de Paris. Il eut une grande influence au concile de Lyon en 1274. C’est lui qui
fit édifier à Bologne le tombeau de saint Dominique. Austère et pacifique,
voyageur infatigable, il promut avec force, l’étude, la pauvreté et la
prédication évangélique. Il mourut à Montpellier le 29 novembre 1283.
SOURCE : http://www.martyretsaint.com/jean-de-verceil/
Bienheureux Jean de
Verceil (-1283)
Type de sainteté : Prêtre
Fonction dans l'ordre
: Maître de l'Ordre
Décès : 30 novembre
1283 à Montpellier
Fête liturgique : 1
décembre
Né en Italie au début du
XIIIe siècle, Jean de Verceil enseignait le droit à l’université de Paris
lorsqu’il entra dans l’Ordre des Prêcheurs sur le conseil du bienheureux
Jourdain de Saxe. Élu sixième Maitre de l’Ordre au Chapitre de Paris le 7 juin
1264, il demeura en charge pendant près de vingt ans. Il recourut plusieurs
fois aux conseils théologiques de saint Thomas d’Aquin et prit sa défense
lorsque sa doctrine fut attaquée. Il eut une grande influence au Concile de
Lyon (1274). C’est lui qui fit édifier à Bologne le tombeau de saint Dominique
par le sculpteur Nicolas Pisano. Il contribua au développement de la dévotion
au Saint Nom de Jésus. Ce prêcheur austère et pacifique, voyageur infatigable,
qui promut avec force l’étude, la pauvreté et la prédication évangélique,
mourut à Montpellier le 30 novembre 1283.
Also
known as
John Garbella
Giovanni Garbella da
Vercelli
Profile
Studied at
the University of Paris.
Doctor of civil and canon
law. Taught law at Paris and Vercelli, Italy.
Helped found a university in Vercelli.
Dominican Friar,
joining in Vercelli,
and receiving the habit from Blessed Jordan
of Saxony, whose preaching had
brought him to the Order.
Transferred to Bologna, Italy to study the
history and theology of
the Order and
for the priesthood. Ordained in 1229.
Noted preacher in Bologna.
John returned to Vercelli in 1232 to
establish a Dominican priory,
and to serve as its superior. Peacemaker between Venice and
other Papal
States. Prior of
the Dominican house
in Bologna,
and spiritual
director to its nuns. Dominican Provincial
of Lombardy in 1257.
Fought heresies in
northern Italy.
Friend of King Saint Louis
IX, and often consulted Saint Thomas
Aquinas on theological matters.
Master-general of
the Dominicans from 1264 to 1283.
Insured uniform liturgical celebration
throughout the Order.
Served at the papal court of Pope Clement
IV. Considered for the papacy after
the death of Clement;
when he learned of this, he fled the city. Pope Gregory
X was elected instead.
Papal legate. Peacemaker between Venice and Genoa. Peacemaker between France and Castile.
Commissioned by the pope to
draw up the schema for the Second Council of Lyons, and actively
participated in the Council. In 1274 he
founded what eventually became the Holy Name Society (Confraternity
of the Most Holy Name of God and Jesus). Appointed archbishop of Jerusalem in 1278,
but begged to be released from the responsibility, citing advanced age, ill
health, and the need for strong, vital leadership in the war-ravaged region.
Tradition says that
during the translation of the relics of Saint Dominic
de Guzman 1267,
when the body was exposed to view, the head was seen to turn towards Blessed John.
Embarrassed, John moved to another part of the church, giving his place to
a cardinal.
The head of Saint Dominic was
seen by all to turn again toward John.
Born
1205 at
Mosso Santa Maria, Italy as John
Garbella
30
November 1283 at
Montpelier, France of
natural causes
buried at
the Dominican convent at
Montpelier
his tomb was desecrated
by Calvinists in 1562,
and his body disappeared
1903 by Pope Pius
X (cultus
confirmed)
God of power and mercy,
you made Blessed John an outstanding promoter of the order of Preachers. By his
remarkable zeal, his wonderful prudence and his courage, and with the help of
his prayers may your family always and everywhere be governed by beneficial
rule. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. – General Calendar of the Order of
Preachers
Additional
Information
Saints
of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein
books
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other
sites in english
Catholic
Encyclopedia: Holy Name Society
Catholic
Encyclopedia: Order of Preachers
Saint Paul’s Holy Name Society
images
video
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
fonti
in italiano
Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani
Readings
Watch the little things.
He who grows careless in little things, little by little falls. He who does not
push himself to make progress, goes backward. – Blessed John,
writing to his priests
Desirous of protecting
the honor of God, of obeying this apostolic command, and of promoting in our
neighbor an increase in devotion, we beseech you to stir up your zeal to the
end that you personally see to it that this request of the Holy Father receives
full compliance by having your subjects preach with convincing arguments and
with scrupulous diligence the need for reverencing the Holy Name. – Blessed John,
writing on the creation of the Holy Name Society
MLA
Citation
“Blessed John of
Vercelli“. CatholicSaints.Info. 24 October 2022. Web. 12 June 2024.
<https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-john-of-vercelli/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-john-of-vercelli/
Blessed John of Vercelli,
OP (AC)
(also known as John
Garbella)
Born at Mosso Santa Maria
(near Vercelli), Italy; died at Montpellier, France, in 1283; cultus approved
in 1903.
John Garbella was born
early in the 13th century, somewhere near Vercelli. He studied at Paris and was
ordained priest before 1229. He taught canon law at the University of Paris.
While he was professor there, Jordan of Saxony (who was a friend of Saint Albert
the Great) came to Paris, and John saw one after another of his best pupils
desert their careers to join the Dominicans. He seems to have considered them
quite objectively, without reference to himself, until he day an interior voice
spoke to him that it was God's will for him to join the Dominicans. No one can
say that John did not respond with alacrity; he dropped everything and ran down
the street. ("Let me go; I am on my way to God!") Jordan received him
happily and gave him the habit.
In 1232, John was sent to
Vercelli to establish a convent there. He built this and several other convents
in Lombardy as houses of regular observance. While provincial of Lombardy, he
also became inquisitor. It was a particularly difficult moment. His brother in
religion, Peter of Verona, had just been killed by the heretics in Como. The
entire countryside was in a state of war, with roving bands of heretics and
robbers. It was the task of the new inquisitor to try to bring order out of
this chaos, and what John did was remarkable, considering the situation. In
spite of his heavy labors, which included the supervision of 600 friars in 28
different cities (he reached them only by walking), John of Vercelli
established the ideals of study and regular observance in all of his houses.
It was the good fortune
of John of Vercelli to live in an age that was well peopled by saints. He
formed a close friendship with Saint Louis, the king of France. Several of his
tasks in the order, particularly the Commission on the Program of Studies, he
shared with Saint Albert the Great, Saint Thomas Aquinas, and Peter of
Tarentaise (the future Pope Innocent V). In such company one would need to have
a superior set of talents; John did.
In 1264 the chapter of
the order met at Paris. Blessed Humbert had resigned as master general of the
order. John went to the chapter hoping that he could resign as provincial of
Lombardy. Instead of escaping one office, he fell heir to a still more
difficult one. He was elected master general in 1264 and served in that
capacity until 1283. John was then a man in his sixties and was, moreover,
handicapped by a crippled leg. However, he accepted the office which would
require him to walk, not only all over Lombardy, but all over Europe. It took a
brand of courage and obedience that was little short of heroic.
During the generalate of
John of Vercelli, the relics of Saint Dominic were transferred to the new tomb
that had been prepared for it by Nicholas of Pisa. When the transfer was made,
John of Vercelli fixed his seal on the tomb; the seals were still intact on
their examination in 1946. During the translation of the relics, according to
the account in the Vitae Fratrum, when the body of Saint Dominic was exposed to
view, the head was seen to turn towards John of Vercelli. John, embarrassed,
moved to another part of the church and gave his place to a cardinal.
Whereupon, the head of Saint Dominic was seen by all to turn again in John's
direction.
On the death of Clement
IV, John of Vercelli was very nearly elected pope. Being warned of the
possibility, he fled in fright. However, his good friend Cardinal Visconti, was
elected and took the name Gregory X. He appointed John as legate on several
different missions.
He was commissioned by
the pope to draw up the Schema for the second ecumenical council of Lyons in
1274--that council to which Saint Thomas Aquinas was hurrying when death found
him on the road. At the council John distinguished himself for his assistance
by offering to the council the talents of his best men. At the council, he
accepted for the Dominican Order the special commission of promoting reverence
for the Holy Name of Jesus and fighting blasphemy, which was, in that day as in
ours, a prevalent vice. He can thus be considered the founder of the Holy Name
Society, even though the Confraternity was not formed until 1432.
Several precious relics
were suitably enshrined by John of Vercelli. These included several thorns from
the Crown of Our Lord, which had been given him by Saint Louis of France. The
cord of Saint Thomas, with which he had been guided by the angels and which he
had worn until death, was given into the care of the master general, who gave
it to the convent of Vercelli for safe keeping.
John's career was rapidly
reaching its end. In 1279, he presided over the famous chapter of Paris at
which the order made the doctrine of Saint Thomas officially its own. The
following year he laid the foundations of the Church of Santa Maria Sopra
Minerva. One of his last official acts was to provide for a work on the
instruction of novices (Benedictines, Dorcy).
SOURCE : http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/1201.shtml
Blessed John of Vercelli,
C.O.P.
(also known as John
Garbella)
Memorial Day: December
1st
Profile
John Garbella was born
early in the 13th century, somewhere near Vercelli. He studied at Paris and was
ordained priest before 1229. He taught canon law at the University of Paris.
While he was professor there, Jordan of Saxony (who was a friend of Saint
Albert the Great) came to Paris, and John saw one after another of his best
pupils desert their careers to join the Dominicans. He seems to have considered
them quite objectively, without reference to himself, until one day he had an
interior voice that spoke to him that it was God's will for him to join the
Dominicans. No one can say that John did not respond with alacrity; he dropped
everything and ran down the street. ("Let me go; I am on my way to
God!") Jordan received him happily and gave him the habit.
In 1232, John was sent to
Vercelli to establish a convent there. He built this and several other convents
in Lombardy as houses of regular observance. While provincial of Lombardy, he
also became inquisitor. It was a particularly difficult moment. His brother in
religion, Peter of Verona, had just been killed by the heretics in Como. The
entire countryside was in a state of war, with roving bands of heretics and
robbers. It was the task of the new inquisitor to try to bring order out of
this chaos, and what John did was remarkable, considering the situation. In
spite of his heavy labors, which included the supervision of 600 friars in 28
different cities (he reached them only by walking), John of Vercelli
established the ideals of study and regular observance in all of his houses.
It was the good fortune
of John of Vercelli to live in an age that was well peopled by saints. He
formed a close friendship with Saint Louis, the king of France. Several of his
tasks in the order, particularly the Commission on the Program of Studies, he
shared with Saint Albert the Great, Saint Thomas Aquinas, and Peter of
Tarentaise (the future Pope Innocent V). In such company one would need to have
a superior set of talents; John did.
In 1264 the chapter of
the order met at Paris. Blessed Humbert had resigned as master general of the
order. John went to the chapter hoping that he could resign as provincial of
Lombardy. Instead of escaping one office, he fell heir to a still more
difficult one. He was elected master general in 1264 and served in that
capacity until 1283. John was then a man in his sixties and was, moreover,
handicapped by a crippled leg. However, he accepted the office which would
require him to walk, not only all over Lombardy, but all over Europe. It took a
brand of courage and obedience that was little short of heroic.
During the generalate of
John of Vercelli, the relics of Saint Dominic were transferred to the new tomb
that had been prepared for it by Nicholas of Pisa. When the transfer was made,
John of Vercelli fixed his seal on the tomb; the seals were still intact on
their examination in 1946. During the translation of the relics, according to
the account in the Vitae Fratrum, when the body of Saint Dominic was
exposed to view, the head was seen to turn towards John of Vercelli. John,
embarrassed, moved to another part of the church and gave his place to a
cardinal. Whereupon, the head of Saint Dominic was seen by all to turn again in
John's direction.
On the death of Clement
IV, John of Vercelli was very nearly elected pope. Being warned of the
possibility, he fled in fright. However, his good friend Cardinal Visconti, was
elected and took the name Gregory X. He appointed John as legate on several
different missions.
He was commissioned by
the pope to draw up the Schema for the second ecumenical council of Lyons in
1274--that council to which Saint Thomas Aquinas was hurrying when death found
him on the road. At the council John distinguished himself for his assistance by
offering to the council the talents of his best men. At the council, he
accepted for the Dominican Order the special commission of promoting reverence
for the Holy Name of Jesus and fighting blasphemy, which was, in that day as in
ours, a prevalent vice. He can thus be considered the founder of the Holy Name
Society, even though the Confraternity was not formed until 1432.
Several precious relics
were suitably enshrined by John of Vercelli. These included several thorns from
the Crown of Our Lord, which had been given him by Saint Louis of France. The
cord of Saint Thomas, with which he had been guided by the angels and which he
had worn until death, was given into the care of the master general, who gave
it to the convent of Vercelli for safe keeping.
John's career was rapidly
reaching its end. In 1279, he presided over the famous chapter of Paris at
which the order made the doctrine of Saint Thomas officially its own. The
following year he laid the foundations of the Church of Santa Maria Sopra
Minerva. One of his last official acts was to provide for a work on the
instruction of novices (Benedictines, Dorcy).
Born: 1205 at Mosso
Santa Maria, Italy as John Garbella
Died: September 1283
at Montpelier, France of natural causes; buried at the Dominican convent at
Montpelier; his tomb was desecrated by Calvinists in 1562, and his body
disappeared
Beatified: 1903 by
Pope Pius X (cultus confirmed), 1909 elevated him to the honors of the altar
Name meaning: God is
gracious; gift of God (John)
Patronage: Holy Name
Society
Prayers/Commemorations
First Vespers:
Ant. Strengthened by holy
intercession, O John , Confessor of the Lord, those here present , that we who
are burdened the weight of our offenses. Maybe relieved by the glory of thy
blessedness, and may thy guidance attain eternal rewards.
V. Pray for us, Blessed
John .
R. That we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ
Lauds:
Ant. Well done, good and
faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful in a few things, I will set
thee over many, saith the Lord.
V. The just man shall
blossom like the lily.
R. And shall flourish
forever the Lord.
Second Vespers:
Ant. I will liken him
unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock.
V. Pray for us, Blessed
John
R. That we may be made
worthy of the Promises of Christ.
Prayer
Let us Pray: O God,
who hast willed that Blessed John should shine with wonderful prudence and
fortitude: grant through his intervention that Thy family may always and in all
places be governed by salutary discipline. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Novena Prayers
FIRST DAY: John
Garbella was born in Vercelli, a town of northern Italy, in 1205. He was a very
bright, studious boy, and because of his great promise, he was sent to the
University of Paris where he eventually gained the Doctorate in law. He
remained there as a teacher, and later returned to Vercelli to begin a
university in his home town. His love of learning and constant study prepared
him well for his future as a leader in the Church.
Let us pray: Heavenly
Father, source of all Truth, You sent your divine Son into the world to share
with us the truth that makes us free – free to seek You with quiet minds and
joyous hearts. Through the intercession of Blessed John of Vercelli, grant us a
deep love of sacred truth, and a growing desire to know You more clearly and
love You with greater ardor. We ask this in the name of Jesus, your Son, our
Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and
ever. Amen.
SECOND DAY: When
Blessed John was about 25 years old, and busy at his teaching in Vercelli,
there came to that town the head of the newly-founded Order of Preachers, or
Dominicans, as they were called because of Dominic, their founder. This
successor of the great preacher, Dominic, preached so movingly that the young
professor, John Garbella, was touched by God’s grace to ask for admittance to
the new Order of Preachers. Blessed Jordan of Saxony, the Dominican Master
General, gave him the habit of the Friars Preachers, and sent him to the city
of Bologna to begin his preparation for the priesthood, and for an outstanding
career in the history of the Order and the Church.
Let us pray: Lord,
our God, You have planted deep in the heart of man a thirst for the truth, and
a desire to attain union with You in love. As the young John of Vercelli sought
the truth, and surrendered himself lovingly to your vocation to a great
apostolate, grant that we, too, may seek You with constancy, and serve You with
all our hearts. Through the intercession of Blessed John, we ask in particular
that You attract the hearts of many young people to your gospel, your love, and
a vocation of service in your Church as priests and religious. We ask this in
the name of Jesus, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the
Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
THIRD DAY: After 15
years of sacred study and very successful preaching in the university city of
Bologna, John was sent back to his home town of Vercelli to establish a
Dominican priory there. He was made its superior. The small states of those
times were wracked with war between the Germanic emperor and the papal states.
John’s remarkable gift of peace-making became evident, and he was sent to
Venice to reconcile that city-stae with its former enemies. He succeeded so
well at this, that for the rest of his life, the Popes made use of his
sanctity, prudence, and diplomacy to establish peace between warring rulers and
states.
Let us pray: Heavenly
Father, You have revealed yourself to us as a God of peace, justice, and unity.
Through the grace of your divine Son, the Prince of Peace, bring peace to our
divided world, justice for all men, unity to the human family. Through the
intercession of Blessed John, help us root out of our own hearts the pride,
selfishness, and indifference to others that lie at the root of discord and
disunity. Make us truly peacemakers, as befits those who call themselves
Christians. We ask this in the most Holy Name of Jesus, your Son, our Lord, who
lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
FOURTH DAY: God’s
grace continued to bear much fruit in the life of Blessed John. His religious
superiors sent his as official visitator to the newly established houses in
Hungary; he was elected Prior of the large priory in Bologna; he was likewise
appointed spiritual guide of the Dominican nuns in that city. At the age of 52,
he was elected Provincial of the province of Lombardy, and in that position,
had to fight the heresies that had sprung up in northern Italy. In all of his
works, he turned to God through prayer and the sacraments as his source of
remarkable success in the vineyard of the Lord.
Let us pray: Heavenly
Father, You gave to each of us a mission – a task in your kingdom. And you
likewise prepare for us the graces we need to accomplish our tasks with
success, so as to contribute to the extension of your kingdom, and our own
sanctification. Let us imitate Blessed John in turning constantly to You, for
the strength, the wisdom, and the resources to do your holy will and thus
attain our salvation. We ask this in the most Holy Name of Jesus, your Son, our
Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and
ever. Amen.
FIFTH DAY: In the
year 1264, at the age of 59, Blessed John was elected Master General of the
Dominican Order, the fifth successor of St. Dominic himself. He did not believe
himself worthy of the great trust. He wrote to his brethren: "My fears at
my inability should be yours as well, wherefore I beg you to give me the help
of your prayers so that divine mercy may supply that which I lack in my own
strength". As Master General, he combatted the growing spirit of
competition between the nations, so as to establish a truly catholic spirit
within the spreading Order. He provided a uniform way of celebrating the sacred
liturgy for the entire Order, thus ensuring the dignity and beauty of divine
worship, and he counselled his priests and brothers constantly to be men of prayer
and penance.
Let us pray: Heavenly
Father, Your divine Son commands us to "seek first the kingdom of God and
His holiness". Make us truly men and women of prayer, frequenting the
sacraments, loving God and our neighbor, and conforming ourselves to Christ,
our savior. Through the intercession of Blessed John, grant that we may always
give to you the first priority in our lives, and love You with our whole heart,
our whole mind, our whole strength. We ask this in the most Holy Name of Jesus,
your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns, with You and the Holy Spirit, forever
and ever. Amen.
SIXTH DAY: Pope
Clement IV had such admiration for Blessed John, and depended so heavily upon
his wisdom and counsel that the Pope requested that John go to live in Viterbo,
where the papal court was then located. Blessed John remained with the Pope
until Clement died. A number of cardinals wished to elect Blessed John, but he
had no such ambition, and was destined to govern his own Order, until his
death. Again, he was called upon to make peace between the feuding states of
Venice and Genoa, and between France and Castille. He wrote to his priests and
brothers: "Watch the little things. He who grows careless in little
things, little by little falls. He who does not push himself to make progress,
goes backward."
Let us pray: Lord,
our God, grant us the generosity to seek opportunities for doing good; the
prudence to do it wisely and well; and the humility to rely upon God for all
that we need, and to trust in Him unquestioningly. In imitation of Blessed
John, help us to be true apostles of Jesus, our Lord, and faithful followers of
His gospel of peace and humility. We ask this in the most Holy Name of Jesus,
your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God,
forever and ever. Amen.
SEVENTH DAY: In
April, 1273, Pope Gregory X announced an ecumenical council to be convoked in
May, 1274, in the city of Lyons in southeastern France. Among the acts of that
council, in which Blessed John actively participated, was a decree that greater
reverence, should be paid to the Holy Name of Jesus by all Christian people.
Pope Gregory entrusted Blessed John with the leadership of this renewed
devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus throughout Europe. In his letter to Blessed
John, Pope Gregory wrote: "Let them honor with special reverence that Name
which is above all names, the only Name given by heaven to men for their
salvation, which is the Name of Jesus, who saved His people from their sins".
Let us pray: Heavenly
Father, by the message of an Archangel, You instructed both Mary, the Mother of
the Savior, and St. Joseph, his foster-father, that his name was to be JESUS,
meaning "God is Savior". Grant us a deep reverence for this HOLY NAME
of JESUS, and a constant gratitude to our Divine Savior for the graces of
redemption, which He has lavished upon us by his life of sufferings, death, and
resurrection. We ask this in that Most Holy Name of Jesus, your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
EIGHTH DAY: Upon
receipt of Pope Gregory’s commission to spread devotion to the Holy Name of
Jesus throughout Europe, Blessed John immediately wrote to all Dominicans as
follows: "Desirous of protecting the honor of God, of obeying this
apostolic command, and of promoting in our neighbor an increase in devotion, we
beseech you to stir up your zeal to the end that you personally see to it that
this request of the Holy Father receives full compliance by having your
subjects preach with convincing arguments and with scrupulous diligence the
need for reverencing the Holy Name". Confraternities of the Holy Name were
founded in every Dominican church; altars were dedicated to the Holy Name of
Jesus. As the movement spread and gathered momentum, it coalesced into the Holy
Name Society as we know it today, brought into being by an ecumenical council
and nurtured and spread by Blessed John of Vercelli.
Let us pray: Heavenly
Father, give to all of us a warm, loving reverence for the Holy Name of Jesus,
your divine Son, our Lord. Bless and prosper the work of the Holy Name Society
throughout the world. As it has existed and functioned for seven centuries,
grant that its purpose of spreading reverence and respect for the Name of Jesus
may continue and grow to your glory and the good of souls. We ask this in that
most Holy Name of Jesus, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns, with You and
the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
NINTH DAY: In the
year 1276, Blessed John had the great happiness of seeing one his own brethren,
Peter of Tarentaise, elected as the first Dominican Pope. Two years later, when
John was 73 years old, Pope Nicholas III appointed him to be Archbishop of the
city of Jerusalem. Besides his basic modesty which shied away from the honor of
the episcopacy, his prudence dictated that a man of his years and declining
health was not up to the job of governing a diocese wracked by war between
Christian crusaders and Moslems. He begged to be released from that
appointment, and to be allowed to retire as Master General of his Order. The
Pope acceded to his first request, but left to the Dominican brothers the
decision as to his retirement. They would not hear of it, and he thus served
his brethren as their General until his death in 1283, at the age of 78. His
Dominican brothers, and all who know him, realized that a saint had gone to his
eternal reward. In 1903, Pope St. Pius X officially inscribed the name of John
of Vercelli among the Blesseds of the Church; we await the day when he will be
accorded the full recognition of canonization.
Let us pray: Heavenly
Father, we give you thanks and praise for the life, the accomplishments, and
the virtues of Blessed John. Through his intercession, we commend to your love
and your protection the Order of Preachers to which he devoted his life, the
Holy Name Society, which he founded, and the devotion to the most Holy Name of
Jesus, which he promoted with such great zeal. We pray in that most Holy Name
of Jesus, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy
Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Readings
Watch the little things.
He who grows careless in little things, little by little falls. He who does not
push himself to make progress, goes backward.
-Blessed John, writing to
his priests
Desirous of protecting
the honor of God, of obeying this apostolic command, and of promoting in our
neighbor an increase in devotion, we beseech you to stir up your zeal to the
end that you personally see to it that this request of the Holy Father receives
full compliance by having your subjects preach with convincing arguments and
with scrupulous diligence the need for reverencing the Holy Name.
-Blessed John, writing on
the creation of the Holy Name Society
SOURCE :
http://www.willingshepherds.org/Dominican%20Saints%20November.html#John
Garbella
November 30
Blessed John of Vercelli
(c. 1205-1283)
John was born near
Vercelli in northwest Italy in the early 13th century. Little is known of his
early life. He entered the Dominican Order in the 1240s and served in various
leadership capacities over the years. Elected sixth master general of the
Dominicans in 1264, he served for almost two decades.
Known for his tireless
energy and his commitment to simplicity, John made personal visits—typically on
foot—to almost all the Dominican houses, urging his fellow friars to strictly
observe the rules and constitutions of the Order.
He was tapped by two
popes for special tasks. Pope Gregory X enlisted the help of John and his
fellow Dominicans in helping to pacify the States of Italy that were quarreling
with one another. John was also called upon to draw up a framework for the
Second Council of Lyons in 1274. It was at that council that he met Jerome of
Ascoli (the man who would later become Pope Nicholas IV), then serving as
minister general of the Franciscans. Some time later the two men were sent by
Rome to mediate a dispute involving King Philip III of France. Once again, John
was able to draw on his negotiating and peacemaking skills.
Following the Second
Council of Lyons, Pope Gregory selected John to spread devotion to the name of
Jesus. John took the task to heart, requiring that every Dominican church
contain an altar of the Holy Name; groups were also formed to combat blasphemy
and profanity.
Toward the end of his
life John was offered the role of patriarch of Jerusalem, but declined. He
remained Dominican master general until his death.
Comment:
The need for peacemakers is certainly as keen today as in the 10th century! As
followers of Jesus, John’s role falls to us. Each of us can do something to
ease the tensions in our families, in the workplace, among people of different
races and creeds.
December 1: Blessed John
of Vercelli, C., O.P., Commemoration
Today, in the 1962 Dominican Rite Calendar, we make a commemoration of Blessed John of Vercelli, 6th Master General of the Order. The Advent ferial office is prayed, according to the rubrics, and the commemoration of Blessed John is made at Lauds and Vespers, since his is a privileged commemoration. In addition, a second commemoration is made of SS. Cyriacus, Largus, and Smaragdus, Martyrs. At Pretiosa, the obit of Thomas Turco of Cremona, 56th Master General of the Order is read.
Although Humbert de Romans is generally regarded as the “father” of the
Dominican Rite of Mass and Office, it was Blessed John of Vercelli who, in the
year 1267, petitioned Pope Clement IV to formally approve the Dominican
Office. Pope Clement IV did so in the Bull "Consurgit in
nobis", issued on July 7, 1267. He is also the founder of the Holy
Name Society.
From Lesson iii at
Matins:
John was a native of
Vercelli and qualified at Paris as a doctor both of civil and canon law.
While he was carrying out this office at Vercelli, encouraged by the Master
General Jordan, he entered the Order of Preachers. Later he founded a
convent there, which he also governed as prior. Afterwards, while most
religiously ruling the Province of Lombardy, he was in the year 1264 elected as
sixth Master General of the Order. Austere with himself, gentle towards
others, he quickly visited nearly all the Order’s convents in Europe, and for
almost twenty years labored fruitfully and attentively for the good of the
whole Order. Furthermore, he made out an agenda for the Second Council of
Lyons and at the request of Pope Gregory X zealously propagated the practice of
showing reverence to the name of Jesus. John strenuously upheld the
reputation and teaching of Thomas Aquinas. Averse to honors and
unremitting in his work, he died peacefully at Montpellier. The devotion
shown to him from time immemorial was confirmed by Pius X.
From “The Martyrology of
the Sacred Order of Friars Preachers” (Fr. William Bonniwell, O.P., Newman
Press, 1955):
At Montpellier in Gaul,
the birthday of Blessed John of Vercelli, the sixth master-general of the Order
of Preachers. He was eminent both by his learning and his virtues. He restored
religious discipline in his monasteries, and labored untiringly as an arbiter
for peace, in the name of and by the authority of the Roman Pontiff, in
reconciling kings and cities.
Prayer
O God, you willed that
the blessed John should shine with wonderful prudence and constancy; grant,
through his intercession, that your family may always and everywhere be governed
by beneficial rule. Through our Lord…
SOURCE : https://breviariumsop.blogspot.com/2016/12/december-1-blessed-john-of-vercelli-c.html
BLESSED JOHN OF VERCELLI
JOHN OF VERCELLI
PREACHER OF PEACE
An Historical Sketch of
The Founder of the Holy
Name Society
by
REGINALD M. COFFEY, O.P.
The National Association
of the Holy Name Society
First printed Feast of
the Purification, 1949It was in the year of Our Lord 1232 and the Italian
university town of Vercelli was buzzing with excitement. The reason for the
excitement was not, as one might think, the arrival of a group of jugglers or
strolling players; nor was it a startling bit of scandal concerning the private
lives of the higher-ups. It was a reason that was peculiar to the middle ages,
the ages of Faith - when a saint could draw a bigger crowd than any spectacle
and when holiness of life was a question of paramount concern even to notorious
sinners: a famous preacher had arrived in the small university city and was
setting the town by its ears. Jordan of Saxony, the second Master General of
the young but up-and-coming Order of Preachers, was preaching daily in Vercelli
and with great effect.
LEARNED ATTRACTED
The citizens of Vercelli
had heard of Brother Jordan and the stir that he had caused throughout all
Italy, particularly in university towns such as Bologna. A former university
man himself, he directed his message in a particular way to this most influential
sector of medieval life, and his success had been stupendous. He had succeeded
in filling the ranks of the preaching friars with famous professors and
brilliant students. It was said in university circles that where Jordan passed
scholarship suffered a hard blow because he took the best of the scholars with
him.
However, at Vercelli
there were several militant professors who were determined that their
university would not suffer such a fate, and among these capable and fluent men
were two outstanding leaders-Walter of Germany, a professor of physical
science, and John Garbella, a renowned professor of both canon and civil law.
These two men led the attack (or should we say defense) against Jordan. Daily
they harangued their students, warning them not even to go to hear Jordan
preach because, as Waiter put it, "Like a courtesan he tries to seduce
people by his winning address." But in spite of all the eloquent efforts
of Walter and John and the other professors many students and professors, too,
were attracted by the voice of the angelic siren-and many of them never
returned.
THE LEADER SUCCUMBS
Then a dreadful thing
happened. Walter of Germany himself; impelled by his overwhelming curiosity,
went to hear Jordan. Unlike Ulysses, who had permitted himself within range of
the siren's voice only after having been bound to the mast, Walter took no such
precautions. He depended upon his strong will alone to protect him from the
blandishments of the great preacher. Waiter became a member 'of the Order of Preachers.
Walter's defection had a
great effect upon the other leader of the professors, John Garbella. Upon
hearing of it, relates the author of the Vitae Fratrum, ".... at once
forgetting self and the open books before him, which he did not even wait to close,
and his household goods, set off alone to the convent, like one crazed. Meeting
a friend in the street who desired to know where he was bound in such haste and
without his servant, he replied without stopping, `l am going to God.’ Upon
reaching the place where the brethren were staying ... and finding Master
Jordan among the brethren, he threw off his silken gown, fell to his knees and
cried out, 'I belong to God.' Without further inquiry or delay Master Jordan
answered, 'Since you belong to God we then in His Name deliver you over to His
service. And raising him from the ground he gave him the habit." Thus it
was that John Garbella, who was to become known to history as the founder of
the Holy Name Society under the title of Blessed John of Vercelli, was received
into the Order of Preachers in the most holy Name of God. He was about thirty.
JOHN A DISTINGUISHED
EDUCATOR
John was born, according
to the reckoning of the distinguished Dominican historian, Pere Mortier, in the
closing years of the twelfth or the opening years of the thirteenth century at
Mosso Santa Maria, a little village near the town of Vercelli. After preparing
himself by study at a monastery near his home, he went to the University of
Paris, then the greatest seat of learning in the Christian world, at the age of
sixteen or seventeen. He received his doctorate in both laws when he was about
twenty-one.
Even at that early age he
enjoyed enough of a reputation as a scholar to open a school of his own at the
University, and it seems that he was successful, for he remained in Paris until
1229. The reason for his departure was not lack of success but the force of
circumstances. For in 1229 there broke out one of those feuds between town and
gown that made the occupation of a student in those days one that was far from
boring. However, the riot of 1229 was different. In this case the throne sided
with the city authorities against the University. The University authorities
were outraged and every professor but one quit Paris. John returned to his
native heath and opened a school at the progressive university there. He was
happily engaged in his scholarly pursuits, basking in the limelight that his
ability as a professor cast about him, and enjoying to the full the good things
of this world when his false peace was so rudely shattered by Jordan of Saxony.
MADE A SUPERIOR
For a time, after
entering the Order, Brother John disappears into the obscurity of novitiate
life. He is not heard of again until 1245, when he became prior of the Dominican
convent at Vercelli. But from that point on he stamps his impression upon the
pages of history with increasing clarity. His great learning in the law coupled
with his ability as a preacher soon drew to him the attention of the Holy See,
and in 1251 Innocent IV appointed him legate apostolic to Lombardy and
inquisitor. He was sent to Venice, and there he succeeded in making peace
between the warring city-states of Lombardy and establishing religious concord.
In 1255, at the general
chapter of the Dominican Order at Milan, Humbert de Romanis, the Master General
of the Order, appointed him Vicar for Hungary. This was one of the most
difficult and dangerous positions in the Order. Hungary, then as now, was under
the heel of a conqueror. The tartar hordes from the Steppes of Russia were
overrunning the country, They were a barbarous, pagan host and martyrdom among
the Christians of Hungary was an everyday occurrence. Whole convents of
Hungarian Dominicans had been wiped out and their inmates killed, often by
torture. How history does repeat itself! Brother John took the difficult
assignment without a word of objection. A detailed account of his adventures in
Hungary would, no doubt, make lively reading. But the only chronicler who
mentions it is Sebastian D'Olmedo, whose only comment upon the mission is
contained in one sentence: "Brother John, appointed Vicar for Hungary by
the Master General, proved himself worthy of the post in the accomplishment of
his mission.
ENERGETIC SUPERVISOR
That he won the esteem of
his brethren, who probably heard what heroic acts the "accomplishment of
his mission" entailed, is evidenced by the fact that immediately upon his
return he was elected prior at Bologna, one of the most important convents of
the Order. He held this post only a short time, for at the provincial chapter
of 1257 he was elected Provincial of Lombardy. The old writers tell us that
during his term of office as Provincial, John had no fixed abode. He spent his
time continually upon the road, traveling from house to house and preaching as
he went. This constant visiting of the houses of his province was no easy task,
for John always traveled on foot in spite of a crippled leg which forced him to
limp, and he kept, even on his journeys, the fasts and other observances of the
Order. As a result of his constant visitations the houses of Lombardy were kept
on the qui vive.
In the spring of the year
1259 he was in attendance at the general chapter of the Order of Valenciennes,
a chapter notable not only in Dominican history but in the history of the
Church, for it was there that plans were made for the reorganization of the
Dominican courses of studies, a curriculum which has served as a model for
Catholic seminaries to this day. The task of drawing up a suitable course of
studies was entrusted to the hands of three of the greatest scholars in the
history of the Church: Thomas Aquinas, Albert the Great, and Peter of
Tarentasia (who later became Innocent V). At the next General Chapter, held in
Paris in 1264, John, who had been retained in his position as Provincial of
Lombardy, was elected Master General of the Order. He was a bit elderly for
such a strenuous position because at that time he was over sixty years of age,
and the position, particularly in John's time when all visiting of convents
throughout the whole world was done on foot, called for a man who was in the
prime of life.
LABORS EXTENSIVE
Nevertheless, John threw
himself into the work of his new office with enthusiasm by merely acting on a
world-wide scale as he had acted when Provincial of Lombardy. He was constantly
on the toad. The Dominicans of the world found themselves in the same predicament
that the Lombards had been in when he was provincial. No Englishman, Frenchman
or German could ever be sure that the next traveler who knocked upon the door
of the convent would not be the Master General. Not that John was at all
frightening of aspect. On the contrary, he was a pleasant-looking little man,
whose small size and limp made him appear pathetic rather than terrifying.
Still, it was known throughout the Order that he could be very severe when he
came across gross negligence.
THE HOLY NAME SOCIETY
Brother John held the
office of General until his death in 1283. In that time he traveled much and
did great things for the Church and the Order. However, in a short sketch such
as this it is not possible to give the life of a great man in detail. Let it
suffice, then, to concentrate upon the greatest act of his generalship and his
life (a fact, incidentally, often ignored by his biographers), the foundation
of the Holy Name Society. It is not the intention of this writer to go into a
detailed history of the devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus nor does he intend
to throw down the gauntlet to any student of Franciscan history who may be
champing at the bit only too ready to dash off into battle to defend the claim
laid by the Order of Friars Minor to the origin of the devotion to the Most
Holy Name. We merely state here that the first Holy Name Society bounded with
Papal approbation was founded by Blessed John of Vercelli at the command of
Gregory X. It might he better to call the Pope’s brief upon the subject a
suggestion rather than a command - but it was a suggestion upon which Blessed
John acted with vigor and celerity. It was, let it be repeated, the greatest
act in a great life.
First, let us briefly
glance at the great Pope, Gregory X, whose inspiration it was to foster the
preaching of reverence to the Holy Name and entrust its promulgation to another
great and holy man John of Vercelli. Gregory is known to history as "the
Peacemaker" because it was due to his efforts, strenuous and unrelenting,
that peace was maintained throughout the Christian world during his reign.
Gregory succeeded in his time in establishing peace between warring factions in
Germany and Italy and in ending the strife between parties within the German
Empire. He also succeeded in re-uniting the Greek Church with Rome, "He
desired furthermore," writes Father Theodore English, a competent
historian, "to promote peace among individuals as well as nations. To this
end he sought to crush the widespread evils of profanity, obscenity, blasphemy
and perjury. At his insistence, the closing session of the Council at Lyons on
July 17, 1274, unanimously passed a decree ordering that increased reverence
for, and devotion to, the name of the Deity be shown by all Christian peoples."
DOMINICANS COMMISSIONED
On September 20, 1274,
the Pope issued his history-making brief, Nuper in Concilio to the Master
General of the Order. After the usual beginning and a few general remarks the
Pope wrote: "Recently during the Council held at Lyons, we judged it
proper to urge the faithful to demonstrate mote reverence for that Name above
all names, the only Name in which we claim salvation, the Name of Jesus Christ
Who has redeemed us from the bondage of sin. . . . Wherefore, with a view of
obeying that apostolic precept, 'In the Name of Jesus let every knee be bent,'
We wish that at the pronouncing of that Name, every one should bow his head as
a sign that interiorly he bends the knee of his heart. Therefore, We by Our
Apostolic authority enjoin upon you and the members of your Order to use solid
reason when preaching to the people, that thus they may be led to comply with
Our desires,"
Blessed John of Vercelli
lost no time in putting the Pope's instructions into action. He sent copies of
the Pope's letter with one of his own appended to every Provincial of the Order
throughout the world. The General wrote: "Desirous of increasing the honor
of God, and anxious to obey the apostolic precept laid upon Us, and to incite
the faithful to increased devotion, We command that as we personally are
fulfilling the will of the Pontiff, you also shall see to it that the preachers
subject to your authority carry out the orders of the Pope with utmost
diligence, and by methods best calculated to bring conviction." And John,
as we have seen in the sketch, was not one to let an order lapse through
inactivity. That he followed up this letter by personal supervision is
indicated by the fact that in the two general chapters left during his lifetime
the Pope's edict was reiterated.
LASTING DEVOTION
The Dominicans throughout
the world, under John's leadership and constant encouragement, threw themselves
into the preaching of the devotion to the Holy Name with all the eloquence and
ability for which they were famous, a fame that had decided the Pope to entrust
this important work to them. Within a short time an altar dedicated to the Most
Holy Name was erected in every Dominican Church, and it was at this altar that
every procession began and ended. With their experience in organization behind
them - an experience gathered in forming a group of lay apostles called the
Militia of Jesus Christ, and later in forming the Third Order of St. Dominic,
both societies composed of laymen to combat heresy and to raise the standards
and increase the faith of the people - the Dominicans realized that a devotion
could be made permanent and effective if it were entrusted to an organized
group. Thus, the origin of the Holy Name Society.
The founding of the Holy
Name Society, although the greatest act of John's life and generalship, was not
the last. The old man (he was about seventy-five when the Society was founded)
had nine more years of life left to him. And, since for these nine years he
retained his post as General, he was able to see that the project so near to his
heart, the establishment of the Holy Name Society, was indeed made a vigorous
reality.
The nine last years of
Blessed John's life were lived as strenuously as the seventy-odd preceding
them. During these years he saw one of his subjects elevated to the Papal
throne under the title of Innocent V. John himself refused the patriarchate of
Jerusalem offered him by Nicholas III. He was entrusted by the Holy See with
peace-making missions to the ever restless Italian states, and, as previously,
he succeeded in bringing an end to discord. He was constantly on the road, in
spite of his age, visiting Dominican convents throughout the world. In 1278
there reached the ears of the ever vigilant General a report that certain
English Dominicans were publicly repudiating the writings of the Order's
greatest teacher and John's friend, Thomas Aquinas, now dead. John sent a
visitator to England with instructions to bring the rebels into line, by harsh
measures if necessary. In 1280 John himself went to Oxford for the general
chapter of the Order. Upon that occasion he had the opportunity to see how his
instructions had been carried out. He was satisfied with what he discovered.
The English had returned to ways of sound doctrine.
ANOTHER JOURNEY
Returning from England, the
General decided to visit the Dominicans in northern continental Europe, so he
set off through Flanders for Germany. It is said that he returned from the trip
with enfeebled health because he had been subjected to the rigors of a northern
winter. In 1282 the little Italian once more set off for the cruel north on
foot to attend the general chapter at Vienna, visiting Dominican convents on
the way. From Vienna, to commemorate the approaching canonization of St. Thomas
Aquinas, he addressed an encyclical letter to the brethren, "a sweetly
serene letter" in which he exhorted them to be mindful of the greatness of
their ancestors, the Dominics, the Thomases, the Jordans, the Humberts, and to
let such glorious example inspire them to greater efforts to perfect their own
lives. It is the last letter we have from his pen. Upon leaving Austria, John
traveled through France. It must have been a touching sight to see the little
old man limping along the roads of Europe headed for far-distant Italy. But
this time he didn't make it. Having stopped at Montpelier, France, to preside
at a chapter being held there, he was unable to continue his journey. He made a
valiant effort to do so but fell sick after he was on the road for two days. He
was carried back to a Cistercian Monastery, where he died in September 1283. He
was buried in the Dominican convent at Montpelier.
The tomb of Blessed John
was desecrated by the Calvinists in 1562, but so vivid was his memory in the
diocese of Vercelli and in the Order of Preachers, that Pope Plus X in spite of
the fact that his body could not be found for examination (a deterrent to
canonization) raised him to the altars of the Church in 1903, an unusual honor
to be accorded after the lapse of six centuries.
SOURCE : http://www.stpaulshns.org/vercelli.htm
Society of the Holy Name
(Confraternity of the
Most Holy Name of God and Jesus).
An indulgenced confraternity
in the Catholic Church.
The primary object of the society is
to beget due love and
reverence for the Holy Name of God and
Jesus Christ. The secondary object is to suppress blasphemy, perjury, oaths of
any character that are forbidden, profanity, unlawful swearing improper
language, and, as far as the members can, to prevent those vices in others (Pius
IV, 13 April 1564). It had its origin in the Council of Lyons, 1274, which
prescribed that the faithful should have a special devotion to the Holy Name of
Jesus, that reparation might be made for insults offered to it by Albigenses and
other blasphemers. The Friars
Preachers were preaching everywhere with the zeal of St.
Dominic; it was natural, then, that Gregory
X selected the Dominicans to
preach the devotion, which he did by a letter to Blessed John of Vercelli,
master general of the order, 20 September 1274 (Constit. "Nuper in").
The master general immediately wrote to all the provincials of
the order, expressing the pope's wish,
and enjoining upon all the duty of
labouring for its fulfilment (Litterae Encyclicae Mag. Gen Ord. Praed.,
Reichert, 1900). The brethren gave their best energies in executing the
command, preaching everywhere the power and glory of the Holy Name of Jesus; and
to give permanency to the devotion excited in the hearts of the people, it
was ordained that
in every Dominican church
an altar of the Holy Name should be erected, and that societies or
confraternities under the title and invocation of the Holy Name of Jesus should
be established. St. Peter, Martyr (d. 1252); John of Vercelli,
a contemporary of St. Dominic; Blessed
Ambrose of Siena (d. 1286) are said to have been great propagators of
the devotion. In the fourteenth century Blessed
Henry Suso (d. 1365) is the most notable apostle of devotion to the
Holy Name.
The history of the society in
the fourteenth and the fifteenth centuries is somewhat obscure, but that it
continued to exist is certain from papal
Bulls addressed to the Order
of St. Dominic. Boniface
IX in his Constitution "Hodie" 31 October, 1401,
granted indulgences to
those visiting the altar of the confraternity in the Dominican monastery at
Schusen, Diocese
of Werden, Saxony. In 1432 at Lisbon the
devotion preached by a retired Dominican bishop,
Andrea Diaz, was a means of stopping the ravages of a plague that was then
afflicting that city. In gratitude for their deliverance, the people of all
classes in Lisbon held,
on 1 Jan., 1433, what was probably the first procession in honour of
the Holy Name of Jesus. At this period St.
Bernardine of Siena, an Italian Franciscan gained
great renown as a promoter of the devotion in Italy.
In the sixteenth century Emperor
Charles V and King Philip II, moved by the prevalence of blasphemy and
sacrilege, exhorted and encouraged the Dominicans to
spread the devotion and to establish the society throughout
their dominions. Among the preachers engaged in this apostolate, the most
celebrated was the Spanish Dominican,
Didacus of Victoria (d.
1450), who may be properly called the great preacher of the devotion of the
Holy Name of God.
He founded a confraternity known as the Society of the Holy Name of God,
of which the special object was to suppress the horrible profanation of the
Divine Name by blasphemers, perjurers,
and by men in their ordinary conversation, and to this end he drew up a rule
and constitution for its government.
His confraternity was approved by Pope
Pius IV 13 April, 1564, who richly endowed it with indulgences,
commanded all ecclesiastical
authorities to favour it with all their power, and, in a special
letter, recommended it to the laity (Bullarium
Ord. Praed., tom. I, v). Later, this confraternity was merged into the Society
of the Holy Name of Jesus. Thereafter the society was
called by both titles. It also bore the title of "Confraternity against
Oaths". Following the example of Pius
IV, the popes of
the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, notably Innocent
XI, made the society an
object of special solicitude, encouraging its promotion, granting indulgences,
and regulating its organization. St.
Pius V, in the Motu Proprio "Decet Romanum", 21 June, 1571,
absolutely restricted the canonical erection of the society to
the Dominican
order. Letters patent from the master general of the Dominicans are
required for the canonical establishment of the society (for
the United
States these letters are issued through the bureau of the Holy Name
Society, New York). In missionary countries special provision is made for the
establishment of the society.
The acts of the general chapters of the order held since 1571 contain numerous
regulations and admonitions insisting upon zeal in
propagating the confraternity. Great encouragement to the development of
the society was
given at the close of the nineteenth century by Pope
Leo XIII, who decreed through the Congregation of Indulgences, 20 May,
1896, that the bishops may
dispense from the Clementine decree "Quaecumque",
requiring that there should be only one confraternity in a town or city. Before
this the society had
existed in many churches of
various cities of the United
States, by virtue of the dispensations obtained
from Rome.
Since then branches of the society have
multiplied very rapidly and in several dioceses;
following the example set in the Archdiocese of New York, 21 May, 1882, they
have been formed into diocesan unions
under a director general appointed by the ordinary. Being thus united, the men
of the society in
the United
States (they number about 500,000) are able to accomplish great good
by public yearly processions of many thousands professing reverence for the Name
of Jesus Christ, and abhorrence of blasphemy,
profanity, and immorality. They are required to receive Holy
Communion in a body at least once every three months; in most places
the rule prescribes Communion on the second Sunday of
every month, when they may gain plenary and partial indulgences granted
by Gregory
XIII. A complete list of indulgences,
all of which may be applied to the souls in purgatory,
is contained in the "Pocket Manual of the Holy Name Society" (new
edition, New York, 1909), by the Dominican,
Father McKenna, who for many years has been recognized as the apostle of the
Holy Name in the United
States. In 1907 the monthly publication of "The Holy Name
Journal" (New York) was begun by the Dominican Fathers.
Thuente, Clement. "Society of the Holy Name." The Catholic
Encyclopedia. Vol. 7. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 3 Dec. 2016
<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07420b.htm>.
Transcription. This article was transcribed for New Advent by Paul Koenen.
Dedicated to Kathleen, Brigid, Deirdre, Liam, Patrick, and the Holy Name
Society of St. Paul's Parish in Hingham, Mass.
Ecclesiastical approbation. Nihil Obstat. June 1, 1910. Remy Lafort,
S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New
York.
Copyright © 2023 by Kevin Knight.
Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
SOURCE : http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07420b.htm
Beato Giovanni Garbella da
Vercelli Sacerdote domenicano
Mosso Santa Maria,
Vercelli, 1205 circa - Montpellier, Francia, 30 novembre 1283
Nato nei primi anni del
sec. XIII a Mosso Santa Maria (Vc), conseguita brillantemente la laurea in
diritto romano e canonico a Parigi, insegnò a Parigi e poi a Vercelli. Qui
nel 1229 entrò nell'Ordine dei Predicatori su consiglio del Beato Giordano di
Sassonia e fondò un convento di cui fu anche priore. Ricoprì diversi incarichi
e dal 1264 fu Maestro dell'Ordine. In questa qualità provvide alla decorosa
sistemazione della tomba di San Domenico. Fu operatore di pace tra le città
italiane, legato papale in Francia e in Castiglia e consigliere di papa
Clemente IV. Religioso austero e paterno, attese al consolidamento dell'Ordine.
Fu legato da profonda amicizia con San Tommaso d’Acquino, di cui venerò la
memoria e seguì la dottrina. Fu sempre sereno nelle difficoltà della vita,
convinto che Dio è onnipotente ed è nostro amico. Morì a Montpellier il 30
novembre 1283.
Martirologio Romano: A
Montpellier in Provenza in Francia, beato Giovanni da Vercelli Garbella,
sacerdote, che, Maestro Generale dell’Ordine dei Predicatori, raccomandò
intensamente nella predicazione la devozione al Nome di Gesù.
Giovanni Garbella nacque a Mosso Santa Maria, nei pressi di Vercelli in Piemonte, nel 1205 circa. Conseguì brillantemente la laurea in diritto romano e canonico a Parigi, ove insegnò, prima di far ritorno a Vercelli, sempre come insegnante. Entrò nell’Ordine dei Frati Predicatori nel 1229, assumendo il nome di Giovanni da Vercelli, conquistato dalla persuasiva eloquenza del Beato Giordano di Sassonia, successore di San Domenico. Ricevette la sua formazione religiosa nel convento di Bologna, ove sulla tomba del glorioso patriarca attinse un indomabile zelo ed una robusta santità, che fecero di lui una delle più belle e caratteristiche figure di domenicano. La prudenza e la fermezza, l’energia e la più amabile moderazione, l’amore ardentissimo di Dio e delle anime, fecero sì che riuscisse ad adattarsi mirabilmente alle più delicate e difficili mansioni, dentro e fuori dell’Ordine.
Fondò un convento in Vercelli, del quale fu priore. Papa Innocenzo IV ed i suoi successori nutrirono in lui illimitata fiducia e sin nella più tarda età gli affidarono importantissimi e spinosi incarichi. Fu Ambasciatore a Venezia, Genova, Pisa, Firenze, Bologna. In quest’ultima città fu anche priore del convento domenicano. Legato Pontificio alle corti di Francia e Castiglia, fu consigliere di Papa Clemente IV. Intraprese una grande opera di pacificazione tra le repubbliche italiane ed i sovrani europei e fu uno dei più attivi organizzatori della Crociata. Non gli mancò molto per essere chiamato ad ascendere al soglio pontificio, tanta era la stima di cui godeva universalmente.
Nel 1264 Giovanni fu eletto sesto maestro generale dell’Ordine dei Predicatori, ufficio in cui si distinse per diciannove anni, mantenendolo nel suo splendore e consolidando l’opera dei suoi predecessori. In questa veste provvide alla decorosa sistemazione della tomba di San Domenico. Visitò continuamente le più lontane Provincie ed i suoi interminabili viaggi a piedi sono infatti rimasti leggendari. Giovanni era abbastanza piccolo di statura, infatti nella sua prima lettera ai confratelli si descrisse come un “povero ometto”, ma pieno di energia, instancabile nelle sue visite e nelle riforme dei monasteri domenicani d’Europa. Durante i suoi viaggi rispettò comenque sempre tutti i digiuni prescritti dalla Chiesa e dal suo ordine. Monumento imperituro della sua sapienza sono le 21 Lettere encicliche conservate negli Atti dei Capitoli Generali.
Quando fu eletto papa nel 1271, il Beato Gregorio X incaricò Giovanni ed i suoi frati di farsi portatori di pace fra gli stati italiani in conflitto fra loro. Tre anni dopo gli fu commissionato uno schema per il secondo concilio di Lione, in cui conobbe Giovanni d’Ascoli, successore di San Bonaventura quale ministro generale dei francescani e poi papa con il nome di Nicola IV. Insieme scrissero una lettera indirizzata all’intero ordine dei frati. Successivamente la Santa Sede li inviò entrambi quali mediatori tra i sovrani Filippo III di Francia ed Alfonso X di Castiglia, occasione che permise a Giovanni di rivelarsi valido negoziatore e fautore di pace.
Da alcuni anni era ormai cessata l’Inquisizione seguita alla campagna di Simone di Montfort contro i catari. Papa Gregorio X scelse allora nuovamente Giovanni da Vercelli per curare la divulgazione del culto del nome di Gesù, soluzione che il concilio di Lione aveva individuato onde riparare all’eresia degli albigesi. In tal senso Giovanni indirizzò tutti i priori provinciali e si decise di erigere un altare dedicato al Santo Nome di Gesù in ogni chiesa domenicana e di attivarsi contro la blasfemia e la profanità. Nel 1278 inviò un ispettore in Inghilterra, ove alcuni frati stavano attaccando gli insegnamenti di San Tommaso d’Aquino, che era stato suo amico, e due anni dopo si recò personalmente ad Oxford per tenere un capito generale e difenderne la dottrina.
Più volte Giovanni rifiutò l’episcopato ed una curia a Roma, ma avrebbe desiderato rinunciare anche al generalato del suo ordine. Fu però indotto a mantenere tale incarico sino alla morte. Spirò il 30 novembre 1283 nel convento di Montpellier, in Francia. Le sue reliquie, deposte nella locale chiesa dei domenicani, furono disperse dagli eretici nel XVI secolo. Il Sommo Pontefice San Pio X il 7 settembre 1903 confermò il culto tributato “ab immemorabili” al Beato Giovanni da Vercelli. Ancora oggi è commemorato dal Martyrologium Romanum nell’anniversario della morte, mentre l’Ordine dei Predicatori lo festeggia al 1° dicembre.
Autore: Fabio Arduino
SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/90819
Beato GIOVANNI DA VERCELLI
sacerdote
(+ 1283)
Giovanni Garbella nacque nei primi anni del secolo XIII a Mosso Santa Maria (Vercelli). Conseguita brillantemente la laurea in Diritto romano e canonico, insegnò nella stessa università di Parigi dove si era addottorato, quindi a Vercelli. Quivi, per consiglio del beato Giordano entrò nell'Ordine (1229) e fondò un convento che resse come priore. Divenne successivamente Vicario del Maestro generale in Ungheria, priore di Bologna, Provinciale di Lombardia, VI Maestro dell'Ordine (1264).
L'attività di questo animoso vercellese è sorprendente e svariatissima: paciere tra le città d'Italia; inquisitore nella regione veneta; promotore della crociata; ambasciatore a Venezia, Genova, Pisa, Firenze, Bologna; legato pontificio alle corti di Francia e di Castiglia, consigliere di Clemente IV. Giovanni provvide alla decorosa sistemazione della tomba di san Domenico ordinando l'arca marmorea nella quale trasferì poi personalmente le reliquie (1267). Due volte supplicò il pontefice perché l'esonerasse dal magistero, ma su richiesta dell'Ordine non venne esaudito e conservò la carica fino alla morte, avvenuta il 30 novembre 1283 nel convento di Montpellier.
Religioso austero e paterno, attese al consolidamento dell'Ordine che instancabilmente visitò a piedi, dando ovunque esempio di vita integerrima e facendo rifulgere davanti ai religiosi la figura di san Domenico che egli aveva avuto la fortuna di conoscere. Fu legato da cordiale amicizia a ban Tommaso di cui venerò la memoria e seguì la dottrina.
Le sue reliquie, deposte nella chiesa domenicana di Montpellier, furono disperse dagli eretici nel secolo XVI.
II suo culto fu confermato il 7 settembre 1903
da san Pio X. Dal Comune dei pastori o dei santi: religiosi.
GIOVANNI da Vercelli
Dizionario Biografico degli
Italiani - Volume 56 (2001)
di Luigi Canetti
GIOVANNI da
Vercelli. - Nacque nei primi anni del sec. XIII, forse nel villaggio di Mosso
Santa Maria, nella diocesi di Vercelli, o in questa stessa città. Priva di
attestazioni di sorta è la tradizione che lo voleva membro della casata dei
Garbella, che solo molto più tardi l'avrebbe annoverato fra i propri illustri
antenati, mentre è più probabile che appartenesse a una famiglia di ricchi
allevatori di bestiame radicata nelle campagne del Biellese. È in ogni caso
impossibile precisare i particolari della sua biografia anteriormente al 1228,
quando, dopo un soggiorno di studio a Parigi (dove si addottorò in diritto
canonico e forse vi professò per qualche tempo la disciplina), fece ritorno a
Vercelli per svolgervi l'attività docente, nei mesi in cui Giordano di
Sassonia, allora maestro generale dei frati predicatori, si adoperava per
fondarvi uno Studium. È in tali circostanze che G. dovette fare il suo
ingresso nell'Ordine domenicano, se egli, com'è stato suggerito, va annoverato
tra quei "probos et litteratos optime viros" ovvero tra quei
"magistri" e "baccalarii probissimi" ai quali si riferiva
lo stesso Giordano in due lettere databili all'estate del 1229; e ancora, se
deve identificarsi con quel maestro di diritto di cui narrano le Vitae
fratrum, il quale, edificato dall'esempio dei suoi stessi allievi, abbandonati
inopinatamente la casa e i libri, chiese di entrare, "quasi amens
factus", nella locale comunità dei predicatori. Non ci è noto però dove G.
abbia svolto di fatto il suo noviziato né dove abbia compiuto gli studi
teologici, benché la successiva tradizione encomiastica, per ovvie ragioni, si
sia sempre compiaciuta di collocare questi ultimi presso
lo Studium bolognese; né ci è dato precisare se egli sia stato
effettivamente presente alla fondazione (1234) del primo convento di Vercelli,
presso la chiesa di S. Paolo, dove comunque dovette dimorare per qualche anno,
non sappiamo con quali mansioni. Vent'anni più tardi i frati si sarebbero
installati nella nuova sede intrameniale, ma nel 1255, quando venne ceduto il
vecchio convento a Emilia Bicchieri, futura beata, il nome di G. non figurava
fra i testimoni e i firmatari dell'atto di vendita.
Lo ritroviamo infatti,
con il frate Vincenzo da Milano, destinatario di una lettera di Innocenzo IV,
datata 11 giugno 1251, con la quale il papa - che aveva già incaricato il
provinciale domenicano di Lombardia, Filippo Carisio, di mettergli a
disposizione dei religiosi intrepidi e fidati per svolgere l'ufficio di difesa
della fede - ordinava a G. di percorrere le contrade settentrionali e di
recarsi a Venezia in qualità di commissario apostolico e inquisitore.
Al capitolo generale di
Buda (16 maggio 1254) Umberto di Romans, neoeletto maestro generale
dell'Ordine, inviò G. come suo vicario e visitatore presso i conventi della
nuova provincia d'Ungheria. In seguito, tra la fine del 1255 e i primi mesi del
1256, G. fu nominato priore del prestigioso convento di Bologna, ufficio che
doveva reggere fino al 1257, quando, al capitolo provinciale di Novara, venne
eletto priore della provincia di Lombardia, che a quel tempo comprendeva tutta
l'Italia settentrionale e cui facevano capo ormai una trentina di conventi e
circa seicento frati. Nei sette anni in cui mantenne quell'incarico favorì, tra
l'altro, l'attività intellettuale dell'Ordine, come attesta per esempio
l'istituzione (1262) presso il convento milanese di S. Eustorgio di regolari corsi
di logica, dopo che al capitolo generale di Valenciennes (giugno 1259) i grandi
dottori dell'Ordine (tra i quali Alberto Magno e Tommaso d'Aquino) avevano
ridisegnato la ratio studiorum dei frati. Si adoperò altresì, pur tra
gravi imbarazzi e non lievi difficoltà, a organizzare l'attività
inquisitoriale, assolvendo con qualche esitazione al dovere d'ufficio di nomina
dei giudici della fede, il controllo dell'operato dei quali gli venne però
sottratto da Alessandro IV, che formalmente lo avocò al Papato (dicembre 1260).
In quegli anni G. promosse anche la fondazione dei conventi di Torino, Chieri e
Tortona; inoltre, negli ultimi mesi del mandato (febbraio 1264), Urbano IV gli
affidò la titolarità dell'inchiesta a carico del vescovo piacentino Filippo Fulgosio,
sospetto di ghibellinismo. Quello stesso papa, dal maggio 1262, lo aveva
istituito commissario per la predicazione di una nuova crociata a fianco dei
provinciali di Spagna, Francia e Dacia: tale compito G. preferì delegare in
gran parte, anche per ragioni di convenienza strategica, al priore del convento
di Venezia, dove i sussidi raccolti dai predicatori di Lombardia potevano
meglio essere convogliati e utilizzati a quello scopo. Rimane tuttavia un mero
dato di tradizione, non suffragato da valide prove documentarie, che in quelle
circostanze G. sia entrato in rapporti con il re di Francia Luigi IX, che
l'avrebbe ricompensato per i servigi resi alla causa crociata offrendogli in
dono preziosi libri e reliquie della Passione.
Il 7 giugno 1264 il capitolo
generale di Parigi, riunitosi presso il convento di St-Jacques, venne chiamato
al difficile compito di dare un successore al grande Umberto di Romans,
dimessosi l'anno precedente dall'ufficio di maestro generale. Per le sue doti
di fermezza, equilibrio, saggezza e capacità di governo venne chiamato a
succedergli G., che avrebbe poi retto in modo egregio l'Ordine per i successivi
vent'anni percorrendo indefessamente, e quasi sempre a piedi, fiancheggiato
dal socius itineris Bartolomeo da Faenza, tutte le strade d'Europa
(salvo le province più eccentriche di Spagna, Dacia, Polonia e Grecia) per
visitare i conventi e presiedere gli annuali capitoli generali, oltre che per svariate
missioni diplomatiche.
Tutti i suoi sforzi di
governo si orientarono in primo luogo a una fedele conservazione e, tutt'al
più, al perfezionamento del grande deposito normativo e spirituale ricevuto
dalle prime generazioni domenicane, esigendo, con minuziosa vigilanza,
pressanti ammonizioni e severità disciplinare, il rispetto della primitiva e
rigorosa osservanza della regola, e adoperandosi per il mantenimento di
rapporti pacifici e cordiali con il clero secolare e con i francescani, pur
fermo nella difesa delle prerogative pastorali garantite ai suoi frati dalla
Sede apostolica (esemplare, da questo punto di vista, il rapporto privilegiato
di G. con i pontefici Clemente IV, Gregorio X, Niccolò III e Martino IV). Se
gli riuscì in buona parte il progetto amministrativo di articolazione delle
province in vicariati, dovevano invece registrare un sostanziale fallimento,
causa le tenaci resistenze locali, i ripetuti tentativi di istituire nuove
province suddividendo le antiche. Oltre alle encicliche parenetiche da lui
inviate annualmente, secondo l'uso tradizionale, al capitolo generale
dell'Ordine, e a qualche breve sermone ancora inedito, sono state scoperte di
recente alcune sue lettere di approvazione, conferma e istituzione di
confraternite devozionali poste sotto l'egida dei frati predicatori (Friburgo,
Rieti, Lucca, Orvieto).
Negli anni 1265-66 G.
visitò i conventi di Francia e di Germania, presiedendo i capitoli generali di
Montpellier e di Treviri; si registrano, per questo periodo, almeno una dozzina
fra lettere di conferma e privilegi indirizzati da Clemente IV al maestro generale
e all'Ordine nel suo complesso. Il 5 giugno 1267, durante il capitolo generale
di Bologna, dopo più di due anni di preparativi, G. presiedette la solenne
traslazione delle spoglie di s. Domenico nella nuova arca marmorea
commissionata a Nicola Pisano, dove tuttora si conservano: tale circostanza
valse alla basilica conventuale la concessione di una formale indulgenza da
parte di Clemente IV. Di lì a poco, dopo aver sollecitato G. a promuovere nuove
missioni dei frati presso i popoli pagani dell'Estremo Oriente (8 febbr. 1267)
e altresì a impegnarsi per l'agognata unione con la Chiesa greca (9 giugno
1267), persistendo nel predicare e pubblicare le indulgenze per la crociata, lo
stesso papa approvava ufficialmente (7 luglio 1267) la riforma liturgica domenicana
promossa da Umberto di Romans. A Viterbo, presso la Curia, dove si era tenuto
il capitolo generale di Pentecoste, il 29 nov. 1268 G. assisteva alla morte di
Clemente IV e poteva seguire da presso i primi sviluppi dell'annoso conclave
che il 1° sett. 1271 portò all'elezione di Gregorio X. Negli anni 1269-70
presiedette i capitoli generali di Bologna e di Montpellier e poté così
visitare numerosi conventi di Francia e dell'Italia settentrionale.
Nella primavera del 1271
G. sottopose ai tre più celebri maestri domenicani, Alberto Magno, Robert
Kilwardby e Tommaso d'Aquino (della cui dottrina sarebbe stato uno strenuo
promotore difendendola in più occasioni contro i detrattori esterni e anche
interni all'Ordine), una serie di quaestiones di carattere scientifico-filosofico
ed esigendone un'esaustiva risposta scritta. Tali questioni erano a suo tempo
sorte in seguito alla comparsa di una grande cometa (1264) e vertevano in primo
luogo su un tema allora assai dibattuto, il rapporto problematico tra influssi
astrali e libero arbitrio.
Ai primi del 1272 il
nuovo pontefice Gregorio X nominò G. legato per la pacificazione, anche in
vista di un nuovo concilio, delle città di Lombardia e di Toscana; mentre il
suo operato si rivelò inefficace nei confronti dei Fiorentini, ottenne invece
risultati positivi, benché di breve durata, nelle trattative tra Venezia e Genova
e tra Venezia e Bologna.
Dopo un lungo viaggio che
lo portò per la seconda volta a visitare la provincia di Ungheria (dove nella
primavera del 1273 presiedette al capitolo generale di Buda), partecipò
attivamente, a fianco dei membri più illustri del suo Ordine, al secondo
concilio ecumenico di Lione, nei preparativi del quale Gregorio X lo aveva
coinvolto personalmente affidandogli lo svolgimento di un'inchiesta ufficiale
sullo stato dei costumi del popolo cristiano. Sempre da Lione, dove in
prossimità dell'apertura del concilio (7 maggio 1274) fu altresì celebrato il
nuovo capitolo generale e si dovette far fronte ai rinnovati attacchi del clero
secolare, il 2 nov. 1274 G. indirizzò, congiuntamente al generale francescano
Girolamo Masci (il futuro papa Niccolò IV), una solenne enciclica ai religiosi
dei due grandi ordini mendicanti sollecitandoli a una collaborazione fraterna e
a rifuggire da rivalità e interferenze nocive.
Nei primi mesi del 1276
G. fu impegnato nella visita ai conventi di Toscana: in quelle circostanze - ma
il dato rimane di mera tradizione - avrebbe fatto richiesta di esonero dal suo
ufficio di maestro generale al nuovo papa Innocenzo V (il domenicano Pietro di
Tarantasia, eletto il 21 gennaio), che gliel'avrebbe rifiutata: gli atti del
capitolo generale tenutosi in quell'anno a Pisa non recano alcuna menzione di
ciò, pur riportando un affettuoso indirizzo del pontefice (che morì poco dopo,
il 22 giugno) al maestro e ai padri capitolari. Dopo la brevissima parentesi di
Adriano V (11 luglio - 18 ag. 1276) G., che durante l'estate si trovava ancora
a Viterbo, fu coinvolto personalmente nelle difficili trattative sulla riforma
della procedura dell'elezione dei papi, data la pertinace resistenza del
Collegio cardinalizio ad accettare le nuove restrizioni imposte al conclave da
Gregorio X e poi cassate da Giovanni XXI. Il nuovo pontefice, pur essendo di
sentimenti pregiudizialmente avversi agli ordini mendicanti, volle nondimeno
affidare ai due superiori generali dei predicatori e dei minori, G. e Girolamo
Masci, la delicata missione diplomatica di condurre le trattative di pace tra
Filippo III di Francia e Alfonso X re di Castiglia e León (ottobre 1276).
L'incarico, rinnovato dal successore Niccolò III il 2 dic. 1277, non diede i
frutti sperati a causa delle difficoltà frapposte da Alfonso X, ma tenne
impegnato G. in territorio francese per tutto il successivo anno (durante il
quale poté celebrare a Bordeaux il nuovo capitolo generale e visitare numerosi
conventi del Midi) e per i primi mesi del 1278 (a Pentecoste non poté
presiedere al capitolo generale di Milano), protraendosi ancora sino al giugno
del 1279.
Il 15 maggio 1278 G. si
trovava a Parigi quando il papa lo nominò successore del confratello Tommaso
Agni al seggio patriarcale di Gerusalemme: nonostante il fermo rifiuto per
umiltà e vecchiaia che ci è noto da una successiva lettera del pontefice (1°
ott. 1278), i testi papali dei mesi seguenti designano ancora G. come patriarca
eletto. Cedendo infine alle resistenze, il 13 febbr. 1279, grazie
all'intercessione del cardinale domenicano Latino Malabranca, nipote del papa,
Niccolò III lo esonerò dall'incarico, obbligandolo però a rimanere alla testa
dell'Ordine, responsabilità da cui G. aveva ritenuto troppo ottimisticamente
d'essere stato prosciolto male interpretando un precedente accenno contenuto in
una lettera papale.
Negli ultimi anni
(1279-82) G. fu impegnato in estenuanti viaggi di ispezione nei conventi
d'Inghilterra, d'Irlanda, delle Fiandre, di Germania e d'Ungheria. Già al
capitolo generale di Vienne, nella primavera del 1282, ormai ottantenne, si
trovava in cattivo stato di salute. Nel 1283 si recò a Montpellier per la nuova
assise capitolare (6 giugno). Viaggiò ancora in Provenza nel mese di agosto
(visita al convento di Prouille), ma, già intenzionato a rimettersi in marcia
verso Bologna, dove aveva fissato la celebrazione del successivo capitolo, morì
a Montpellier il 30 nov. 1283 e venne sepolto in forma solenne nella chiesa del
locale convento. Le sue spoglie, venerate per lungo tempo, sono andate disperse
nel corso delle tormentate vicende delle guerre di religione (1562). Il suo
culto fu approvato da Pio X il 7 sett. 1903.
Opere: di G. sono
conservati alcuni sermones manoscritti: Parigi, Bibl. nationale,
ms. Lat. 14953, cc. 116-119: Sermo magistri
Ord. Iacobitarum dom. ante Ascensionem; Erlangen, Universitätsbibliothek,
ms. 327, cc. 112-115: Sermo in festo Pentecostes magistri
Ord. fr. praed. (cfr. anche Kaeppeli, Scriptores, III, pp. 42
s.), nonché alcune lettere edite in Ungedruckte Dominikanerbriefe des 13.
Jahrhunderts, a cura di H. Finke, Paderborn 1891, pp. 55-60; Litterae
encyclicae [ad Ordinem missae], a cura di B.M. Reichert, in Monumenta
Ord. fratrum praedicatorum historica, V, Romae 1900, pp. 63-129; Epistola
"De morte cuiusdam probi lectoris" (a. 1274), a cura di Th. Kaeppeli,
in Archivum fratrum praedicatorum, XXI (1951), pp. 257 s.; Epistola
responsiva patriarche Ierosolimitano, ibid., pp. 258 s.; Epistola qua
sodalitas S. Spiritus Friburgi sub aegidem Ordinis praedicatorum suscipitur (a.
1264), a cura di N. Morard, in Une charité bien ordonnée: la Confrérie du
St-Esprit à Fribourg à la fin du Moyen Âge (XIVe-XVe siècles), in Le
mouvement confraternel au Moyen Âge. France, Italie, Suisse. Actes de la Table
ronde, Lausanne… 1985, Rome 1987, pp. 277 s. n. 10.
Fonti e
Bibl.: Bullarium Ordinis praedicatorum, a cura di A. Brémond - Th. Ripoll,
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SOURCE : http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/giovanni-da-vercelli_(Dizionario-Biografico)/
