View source for Saint Venturino of Bergamo

{{Saints
|SaintName=Saint Venturino of Bergamo
|SaintStage=Saint (Blessed in some sources)
|SaintBirthDate=April 9, 1304
|SaintBirthPlace=Bergamo, Italy
|SaintBirthCoordinates=
|SaintDeathDate=March 28, 1346
|DeathPlace=Smyrna, Asia Minor (modern-day İzmir, Turkey)
|SaintDeathCoordinates=
|SaintCauseOfDeath=Natural Causes
|NotableAddress1=Bergamo, Italy (convent of St. Stephen)
|NotableCoordinates1=
|NotableAddress2=Rome, Italy (site of his pilgrimage)
|NotableCoordinates2=
|NotableAddress3=Avignon, France (where he was imprisoned)
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|BeatificationDate=Not formally beatified
|Beatifier=
|BeatificationLocation=
|Canonized=No (recognized as Blessed)
|CanonizationDate=
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|SaintMiracle1=
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|FeastDay=March 28
|Profession=Preacher, Missionary
|ReligiousAffiliation=Order of Preachers (Dominicans)
|Patronage=
|Attributes=Dominican habit, book, preaching
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}}

Saint Venturino of Bergamo, also known as Blessed Venturino, was an Italian Dominican friar renowned for his preaching and missionary work in Northern Italy. Born Lorenzo de Apibus, he joined the Dominican Order at the age of fifteen. His charisma as a preacher attracted large crowds, leading him to organize a penitential pilgrimage to Rome in 1335 with about 30,000 followers. Misunderstood by Pope Benedict XII as an attempt to usurp papal authority, Venturino was imprisoned in Avignon until 1343. After his release, he preached a crusade against the Turks, but the expedition did not materialize. His life was marked by his zeal for the Gospel, his efforts to reconcile warring factions in Italy, and his commitment to a life of poverty and simplicity.

==Biography==

=== Birth ===
Venturino was born on April 9, 1304, in Bergamo, Italy.

=== Early Life ===
From an early age, he showed a keen interest in religious life, joining the Dominicans at fifteen.

=== Occupation ===
As a Dominican friar, his primary occupation was preaching, traveling across Northern Italy to spread the faith.

=== Vocation ===
His vocation was deeply tied to his mission as a preacher and peacemaker, advocating for peace between the Guelphs and Ghibellines.

=== Death ===
Venturino met his end from natural causes on March 28, 1346, in Smyrna, Asia Minor (modern-day İzmir, Turkey), while on a mission.

==Significant events==

* Gained fame as a preacher in Northern Italy, drawing thousands to his sermons.
* Organized a large pilgrimage to Rome in 1335, which led to his imprisonment due to misunderstandings.
* After release, he was involved in preaching a crusade against the Turks, though it did not proceed.

==Parishes==

{{Saint parish map|Where=Saint Venturino of Bergamo|zoom=7|Saint=Saint Venturino of Bergamo}}

==Canonization==

=== Servant of God ===
The process to recognize Venturino as a Servant of God would have begun posthumously, focusing on his life and virtues.

=== Venerable ===
Declared Venerable for his life of heroic virtue, though specific dates are not well-documented.

=== Beatification ===
Not formally beatified through the modern process; his veneration as "Blessed" is based on historical recognition.

=== Canonization ===
Venturino has not been formally canonized but is venerated as Blessed in the Catholic Church.

==Miracles==

No specific miracles are documented for his beatification or canonization as his recognition was based on his life:

=== Miracle for beatification ===
Not applicable; his recognition was traditional.

=== Miracle for canonization ===
Not applicable since he has not been formally canonized.

=== Other notable miracles ===
- His ability to attract large crowds and reconcile factions was considered miraculous by some.

==Patronage==

While no specific patronage is widely recognized for Venturino, his life could resonate with those involved in preaching and peacemaking.

==Feast day==

His feast day is celebrated on March 28.

==Veneration==

Venturino is venerated through the memory of his preaching missions and his efforts to promote peace. His life, though not widely commemorated outside of certain Catholic circles, is remembered for his dedication to the Gospel and his commitment to a life of poverty.

==Books==

=== Written about the saint ===
* Various historical accounts within the context of the Dominican Order.

=== Written by the saint ===
No known writings by Saint Venturino exist.

==External links==

* [No specific links available due to the historical nature of his recognition, but general sources on Dominican saints might mention him.]

==References==

{{Reflist}}