Bienheureux François Venimbeni de Fabriano
Franciscain (✝ 1322)
Remarquable prédicateur de la parole de Dieu, disciple de saint Bonaventure il fonda la première bibliothèque franciscaine à Fabriano dans les Marches.
SOURCE : http://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/10847/Bienheureux-Francois-Venimbeni-de-Fabriano.html
Blessed Francis Venimbene, OFM (AC)
(also known as Francis of Fabriano)
(also known as Francis of Fabriano)
Born at Fabriano, Italy, in 1251; died c. 1322; cultus confirmed in 1775. Francis, the son of a doctor, joined the Franciscans in 1267. He was a disciple of Saint Bonaventure. He founded the first Franciscan library and wrote a defense of the Portiuncula indulgence (Attwater2, Benedictines).
SOURCE : http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0422.shtml
Bl.
Francis of Fabriano
Priest of the Order of Friars Minor; b. 2 Sept., 1251; d. 22 April, 1322. His birth and
childhood were remarkable for evident signs
of future sanctity. He was also gifted with
rare talents. Having successfully completed the study of humanities and of philosophy, he asked for admission at a neighboring Franciscan convent, in 1267. Under the guidance of able masters he made rapid progress in religious
perfection. Subsequently he
applied himself to the study of theology, and devoted the remainder of his life to missionary labours in his
native town and vicinity. As missionary Blessed
Francis has become a shining
example to the preachers of the Seraphic Order.
He was a man of prayer and untiring study. In accordance with the words of the rule, "Ut
sint examinate et casta eorum eloquia", he was deeply convinced that the friars must announce to the faithful
only well-grounded and authentic
doctrine, in unambiguous and carefully sifted language. Ever mindful of this
principle, Francis logically took a further step which has signalized him as a
far-sighted and truly progressive member of his order. As a consequence of the
extensive proportions theological studies had assumed
since the time of St. Francis,
the humble collections of biblical
and patristic works, which were
found in the early Franciscan communities, no longer met the demands of the student
and preacher. Hence, Francis,
heedless of any disapproving voice, promptly purchased with his father's money a handsome library, the first on an extended scale established in the order. He loved to call it the "best workshop in the convent",
and its catalogue, mentioned by Wadding, contains numerous works of the Fathers,
the masters of theology, biblical commentators,
philosophers, mathematicians, and preachers, which shows that Francis
was indeed, in this respect, quite abreast of his time. No wonder, then that we
find all his biographers in accord with Mark of Lisbon, who styles him a "most learned man and renowned
preacher". Of the writings
of Francis Venimbeni little has been published. His "Chronica Marchiæ et
Fabriani", his "De veritate et excellentiâ Indulgentiæ S. Mariæde
Portiuncula", and the "Opusculum de serie et gestis Ministrorum
Generalium", all three
probably forming one extensive chronicle, have unfortunately disappeared, save
a few precious fragments bearing on the most salient questions of early Franciscan history.
Besides several treatises of a philosophical, ascetical,
and didactic character, he wrote
an "Ars Prædicantium", numerous "Sermons", and a beautiful
elegy on the death of St. Bonaventure. Despite his literary
pursuits and manifold missionary occupations Francis
found ample time for ascetical
practices and works of an all-embracing charity.
God testified to the sanctity of His servant by many signs
and miracles. His
cult was approved by Pius VI in 1775.
Sources
The biography of Blessed Francis was written by his nephew, DOMINIC
FESSI, and other contemporary wrriters. WADDING has collected and utilized
their accounts for his Annals.
PULIGNANI, Miscell. Francesc., X, 69
sq. enumerates the more recent biographers of F., and recommends especially two
books by LUIGI TASSO: Discorso laudatorio
del B. Francesco Venimbeni da Fabriano (Fabriano, 1881), and Vita del B. Francesco da Fabriano dell'
ordine dei Minori (Fabriano, 1893). The latter contains a brief treatise by
Francis, and his elegy on St. Bonaventure. Extracts from his Chronicle have been edited by PULIGNANI,
op. cit., 69-72. Cf. DE CLARY, L Aureole
Seraph., tr. Lives of the Saints and
Blessed of the three Orders of St. Francis (Taunton, 1882) II, 171-175;
WADDING, Annales (Rome, 1731), III,
244, 245, IV, 276-278, 400, VI, 377-385; IDEM, Scriptores (Rome, 1659), 115; SBARALEA, Supplementum (Rome, 1806), 252; Acta
SS. (Venice,
1734-), April, III, 88-94.
Plassmann, Thomas. "Bl. Francis of Fabriano." The Catholic
Encyclopedia. Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 23 Apr. 2017
<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06230a.htm>.
Transcription. This
article was transcribed for New Advent by Dana Howard. For an increase in
Faith.
Ecclesiastical approbation. Nihil Obstat. September 1, 1909. Remy Lafort, Censor. Imprimatur.
+John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York.
Copyright © 2020 by Kevin Knight. Dedicated
to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Beato Francesco da Fabriano
Fabriano, 1251 - Fabriano,
22 aprile 1322
Predicatore francescano della famiglia Venimbeni, soprattutto in Umbria
e nel Piceno. Nella sua città eresse una chiesa e un convento con una notevole
biblioteca.
Culto approvato nel 1775.
Martirologio Romano: A Fabriano nelle Marche, beato Francesco Venimbeni,
sacerdote dell’Ordine dei Minori, insigne predicatore della parola di Dio.
Il Beato Francesco nacque a Fabriano (Ancona) da Compagno Venimbene,
medico, e Margherita di Federico. Dopo aver compiuto gli studi di filosofia,
all'età di 16 anni, entrò nell'Ordine Francescano. Mentre era novizio a Fabriano,
ebbe il permesso di recarsi ad Assisi per lucrarvi l'indulgenza della
Porziuncola. Qui incontrò frate Leone, uno dei primi compagni di San Francesco,
e ne lesse gli "scritti". Per ben due volte, nel 1316
e nel 1318-21, fu superiore del nuovo convento costruito dai confratelli a
Fabriano. L'eredità
paterna gli permise di costruire una biblioteca dove raccolse una copiosa
quantità di manoscritti e in seguito a ciò divenne il primo fondatore delle
biblioteche in seno all'Ordine Francescano.
Tutta la sua vita fu devoluta all'attenzione verso i poveri, gli emarginati e
gli ammalati. Egli stesso si prendeva cura dei bisognosi a cui forniva il
sostegno materiale e spirituale. Infaticabile era il suo zelo per le anime:
trascorreva molte ore in confessionale o nell'annunzio della parola di Dio.
Vestiva una rozza tunica, si flagellava con aspre discipline , dormiva poco per
dedicare più tempo possibile alla preghiera. Argomento della sua contemplazione
erano i misteri della Passione di Cristo, che lo commuovevano fino al pianto.
Celebrava la santa Messa con fervore ed era devotissimo delle anime del
Purgatorio. Morì, come aveva previsto il 22 aprile 1322, all'età di 61 anni. Il
suo culto fu riconosciuto da Pio VI il 1 aprile 1775.
Autore: Elisabetta
Nardi
