Saint Gualtero of Lodi

Biography

Saint Gualtero of Lodi, also known as Gautier, Gualtiero, or Walter, was born around 1184 in Lodi, Lombardy, Italy. He was the only child of Aliprando and Adelazia, pious parents who had been childless for a long time. Desperate for a child, they made a promise to God that if they were blessed with a child, they would dedicate them to the Church. Gualtero's parents kept their pledge and provided him with a good education. By the age of fifteen, he became a Hospitaller friar, serving at the San Raimondo il Palmerio hospital in Piacenza, Italy. It was during this time that Gualtero developed his lifelong devotion to caring for the sick and poor. Unfortunately, Gualtero's father passed away not long after he entered the hospital. To honor his father's memory and fulfill his parents' promise, Gualtero sold off and gave away all their property. His mother, Adelazia, also decided to enter a convent, dedicating herself to a life of prayer and service to God. Gualtero then moved to the San Bartolomeo hospital in Lodi, Italy, where he lived as an anchorite on the hospital grounds. While there, he founded clinics for the poor and pilgrims in various Italian cities, including Fanzago, Vercelli, Tortona, Crema, and Melegnano. With the help of financial assistance from the city of Lodi and the archbishop of Milan, Gualtero, along with a fellow priest, established the Ospitale della Misericordia (Hospital of Mercy) in Lodi. This hospital attracted the services of many brothers, sisters, and hermits dedicated to serving those in need. On April 30, 1206, the adjacent church of Saints James and Philip was built in association with the Hospital of Mercy. Gualtero's reputation for asceticism and devotion to prayer and service continued to grow during this time. He was known to live an austere life, often traveling barefoot and dressed in sackcloth. Many sought his aid, believing in his ability to heal through prayer. Despite his own humble lifestyle, Gualtero generously gave away anything he had that exceeded his immediate needs. Saint Gualtero of Lodi passed away around 1224 in Lodi, Italy, from natural causes. He was buried in the Church of Saints James and Philip in Lodi, which soon became a pilgrimage site for those seeking assistance at the Hospital of Mercy. However, on January 26, 1384, some fanatical devotees, aided by certain friars from San Biagio, stole his relics and hid them. The relics were first concealed in San Biagio and later moved to the nearby church of Saint Paul. After a few weeks, the relics were returned to the Church of Saints James and Philip on February 18, 1384. Throughout history, Saint Gualtero's relics were re-enshrined several times, including in the main altar of the Lodi Cathedral in the mid-15th century. They were moved again to the cathedral around 1600 and then in 1896. Finally, in 1946, the relics were re-interred at the Church of Saints James, Philip, and Gualtero in Lodi, where they remain to this day. Saint Gualtero of Lodi is venerated as a model of selflessness, devotion, and generosity towards the sick and the poor. While he may not have been officially recognized as a patron saint, his life of service continues to inspire and guide those who seek to follow in his footsteps.