Blessed John Pelingotto

Biography

Blessed John Pelingotto, also known as John Pelino Goto or Giovanni Pelino Goto, was born in 1240 in Urbino, Italy, into a wealthy merchant family. Despite his comfortable upbringing, John felt a deep spiritual calling and renounced his family's wealth and worldly success. He preferred a life of solitude and contemplation, eventually becoming a hermit.

John's devotion to God led him to a profound desire to help the poor and sick. He selflessly gave away his possessions, including food, clothing, and wealth, even going hungry himself. In his desire to express his own sinfulness and need for punishment, he wore a rope around his neck as a visible sign of his humility. John's intense spirituality caused him to often enter into lengthy ecstatic states.

Worried about his well-being, both physically and mentally, John's family decided to bring him in from the streets. Seeking a more structured approach to his religious pursuits, John became a Franciscan tertiary. With the support and discipline provided by the Franciscans, he was able to properly devote his life to prayer and charity.

Blessed John Pelingotto lived a life of exemplary piety and selflessness, continually striving to alleviate the suffering of those less fortunate. His compassionate actions and dedication to serving God and his fellow human beings earned him great respect and admiration.

He passed away on 1 June 1304 in Urbino, Italy, and was buried in the cloister cemetery at the San Francesco monastery in Urbino. It is said that numerous miracles occurred at his grave, testifying to his holiness. Eventually, his remains were re-interred in the church at the cloister.

Blessed John Pelingotto's virtuous life and his reputation for sanctity led to his beatification on 13 November 1918 by Pope Benedict XV. The cultus, or public veneration, of Blessed John Pelingotto was confirmed, recognizing his exemplary life as a model of Christian devotion and selflessness.

Although no specific representation is given for Blessed John Pelingotto, his legacy lives on through his acts of charity and his dedication to the impoverished and sick. His feast day is celebrated on 1 June, an opportunity for Catholics to remember and honor his inspiring life of compassion and self-sacrifice.