Thomas of Vallato (Blessed Thomas)

(end of the 12th and beginning of the 13th century - 1263)

Who was: Religious and hermit
Vita: San Ginesio (Vallato), 12th and early 13th centuries – 1263
Thomas of Vallato, known as Blessed Thomas (in latin Blessed Thomas de Vallato), was born in Vallato, in the territory of San Ginesio, between the end of the 12th and the beginning of the 13th century. He entered the Order of Friars Minor at a very young age he received the habit directly from Saint Francis of Assisi at the hermitage of Roccabruna, today Valcavione. After the novitiate, probably spent in Soffiano, he dedicated himself to itinerant preaching and was sent to many regions of Italy, becoming one of the first disciples of the founder of the Order. For some years he also lived as a hermit near Soffiano, in the Geneva area, always remaining faithful to the Franciscan spirit of poverty, preaching and mission.

Tradition remembers him as man of virtue and miracle worker, capable of arousing veneration for his simple and austere life. After a long period of mission and wandering he returned to his homeland, where he died in 1263. He was buried in the floor of St. Peter's Church, today known as church of San Francesco, in San Ginesio. His memory remained alive for centuries, while his tomb was lost following paving works performed in the modern era.

Local historians such as Marinangelo Severini and the priest Alfredo Lambertucci have passed down the memory, emphasizing popular devotion and deploring the loss of his relics. The religious Gregorio Floretti, of the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria dell'Isola, confirmed in ancient testimonies the Blessed's origins from Geneva and his role as a direct disciple of Saint Francis.

The artistic tradition is also linked to his figure: a cycle of frescoes from the Rimini school, located in the left apsidal chapel of the church of San Francesco, represents him as a witness of the first Franciscanism, placing him alongside the other protagonists of local religious history. Even though he was never officially canonized, the Blessed Tommaso da Vallato is venerated as one of the most significant spiritual figures in the Geneva area, living memory of the roots of the Franciscan experience in the Marche.

Alessandro Brancaleoni

(15th century - 1492)

Who was: Religious
Vita: San Ginesio, 15th century – San Ginesio, 1492
Father Alessandro Brancaleoni, Augustinian religious, was born in San Ginesio and died in the Augustinian convent of the same city in 1492. Fu un man of extraordinary culture and vast erudition, enough to be considered among the most illustrious personalities of his era and his land of origin. His intellectual and religious preparation was such that, centuries later, was deemed worthy of entering’Treccani Encyclopedia: In the March of 1969 a person in charge of the Institute went specifically to the town to gather information on his life and works, but with regret he discovered that his memory was almost completely forgotten, to the point that no one could provide any information. Such oblivion, also underlined by the mayor of the time, on Professor Febo Allevi, it aroused bitterness and profound sadness, since it revealed how little the memory of a fellow citizen who had given prestige and dignity to his community with his doctrine and his spiritual authority remained alive.

Benedetto Farabri

(1476-1533)

Who was: Cardinal
Vita: San Ginesio, 1476 – Milano, 1533
Very little is known about him and the information we learn comes almost exclusively from texts that talk about local history. We find it in the volume Of Picene Antiquities Volume VI by the historian Giuseppe Colucci (1789), assets defined Sanginesio Illustrata of Abbot Telesforo Benigni (1795), assets defined Historical memories of Sanginesio of Canon Giuseppe Salvi (1889) and subsequently in San Ginesio terrace of the Marche of the friar T.O.R. Alfonso Porzi (1986). The latter proves to know Farabrik's life, but he declares not to report it for reasons of space.

The Farabrik, whose surname appears with this spelling only starting from the 20th century, while previously it is attested in the Farabrichi or Farabricchi forms, was born in 1476 (Arch. Italian biographical – ABI II, Vol. 3) from a family of humble origins. Having completed his studies at the University of Padua and gained a solid theological education, he obtained a professorship at the University of Paris, where he achieved considerable notoriety, establishing itself both in France and in Italy. In 1521 he was elected Provincial of his order, that of the Observant Friars Minor, In the 1528 he held the position of General Definitor and in 1532 that of Vicar General. Subsequently sent to England by Pope Clement VII with the task of resolving some delicate disputes with King Henry VIII, he was later made cardinal. He died in Milan in 1533.

Andrea Montereale

(1520 ca. - 1617)

Who was: Religious
Vita: San Ginesio, 1520 ca. – San Ginesio, 1617
Father Andrea Montereale, Augustinian, He entered the convent of Sant'Agostino at a very young age. He received the religious habit, he made his novitiate and celebrated his birthday first solemn mass on 21 August 1542. He studied philosophy and theology in Siena, distinguishing himself for ingenuity and preparation. He was nominated General Visitor of the Order in Spain, where he carried out an intense activity canonical inspection between the 1588 and the 1589, assignment awarded to him by the Minister General Gregorio Petrocchi, then elevated to the cardinalate by Pope Sixtus V. He represented the Order several times in various parts of Europe, bringing with him everywhere the honor and prestige of his city of origin.

Returned to Italy, In the 1590 he preached Lent in Milan with extraordinary success, and the following year he was called to Ferrara by Duke Alfonso II d'Este, that he wanted him as a theologian, confessor and spiritual guide. In addition to pastoral activity, he dedicated himself to culture, annotating and commenting on classic texts such as the Of the Trinity of Sant'Agostino and the De Oratore of Cicero, works that still today testify to his erudition and intellectual finesse. His figure was also remembered by historians such as Benigni, Pandolfini, Bacci and Riccomanni, who counted him among the illustrious men of San Ginesio.

Now almost a hundred years old, he retired again to the convent of Sant'Agostino di San Ginesio, where he died in 1617. His passing aroused unanimous condolences in the city community, who mourned him as one of the most illustrious religious and scholars of his land.

Alfonso Porzi

(20 February 1908 - ?)

Who was: Religious, teacher and writer
Vita: San Ginesio, 20 February 1908 – ?
Father Alfonso Porzi He entered the Seraphic College of the Third Order Regular at a very young age in Francavilla d'Ete il 27 September 1920, then completing his studies in Philosophy and Theology at the Pius XI Umbrian Regional Seminary in Assisi, where he was ordained a priest 28 February 1931. After ordering it was immediately sent as teacher and prefect of aspirants in his college of origin and at the same time in the internal high school of San Ginesio as master of clerics and teacher of literature. In 1934 was transferred to Assisi, where he taught theology to young clerics, and in the same period he obtained the professorship of Latin and history at the State Teachers' Institute “Ruggero Bonghi”. In 1936 He graduated from high school in classical studies “Mariotti” of Perugia and he enrolled at the Catholic University of Milan, dove In the 1940 obtained a degree in Fine Letters.

In 1945 he returned to the Seraphic College of Francavilla as rector and remained in office until 1952. In that year he was called to Rome as National Commissioner of the Franciscan Third Order, founding and directing the bimonthly magazine for fifteen years The Jester, point of reference for the Franciscan Tertiaries of Italy. From the 1952 to 1958 he also exercised the pastoral ministry in the parish of Santa Maria della Salute in the Primavalle district. In 1958 he was appointed parish priest of Santi Cosma e Damiano in via dei Fori Imperiali in Rome, where he remained for fourteen years, until the 1972, the year in which he left office due to age limits. Subsequently he taught religion in various Roman schools, including the “D. Right Morosini”, the State Institute of Art and the High School “Pablo Picasso”.

His works include the foundation and direction of the two volumes of the magazine The Jester (1952-1957 and 1958-1965), as well as numerous essays and books of a historical nature, religious and literary. Among the main titles are included Humanism and Franciscanism in the fifteenth century, Assisi meeting, The religious ideal of Sister Maria Luisa Porzi, The contestation of contestations, Centenary commemorations of San Bernardino, Siena – Massa Marittima – L'Aquila to San Bernardino from Siena (published for the sixth centenary of the saint's birth, In the 1980, in a volume of 320 illustrate the pages), Genealogy of the Porzi family and, above all, San Ginesio terrace of the Marche, monumental work in two volumes of approximately 700 pages with 150 illustrations, which represents one of the most important testimonies on our civil and religious history. Others are Saint Bernardino of Siena, doctor of the Church, Historical religious-civil-political anthology and Marginalization, moral assassination (Signs of the times).

From the 1975 he retired to his homeland where he dedicated himself exclusively to study and writing, leaving numerous publications that earned him a prominent role among local scholars. His business, carried out between teaching, pastoral care and research, he left a significant heritage to both the ecclesial and cultural communities.

Isladio Della Vecchia (Father Giovanni)

(1912 - February 1969)

Who was: Religious
Vita: San Ginesio (Campanelle), 1912 – Roma, February 1969
Isladio Della Vecchia, in religion Father Giovanni, He was born in the hamlet of Campanelle from Enrico and Anna Bordi. It was the third son of a large family: The older brothers, Florindo and Duilio, They were born in Argentina during the father's migration experience, And the firstborn would then become a consular representative of Italy in Santa Fé. Two little sisters died at an early age, while the last of the brothers, Glory, He fell very young as a partisan in 1944, not far from the paternal house.

Isladio soon warned the call of the Lord and chose to enter the Third regular order of the Franciscans of his native country. He completed his gymnasial studies and the year of novitiate at the Seraphic seminar of Sant'Antonio da Padova in Francavilla d’Ete (GRADARA CASTLE). Quickly completed his studies, First in San Ginesio and then in Assisi, where is the 20 January 1935 He was ordained a priest, assuming the name of Father Giovanni.

After the ordination he was appointed prefect of the boys of the Seraphic Seminary of Francavilla. Only two years later he was called to Rome, at the General Curia, like Deputy Parore of the Basilica of Saints Cosma and Damiano. Here he lived the difficult years of the Second World War, mature as a religious and as a man. In those same years he was the spiritual guidance of the Knight Ernesto Apuzzo, supporting him in the birth and development of the Tyrrhenian insurance and capitalization company.

Father Giovanni became a point of reference for that community: amico, Councilor and voice of the Gospel, capable of interpreting the needs of modern man. Always in this spirit he founded the Pax Film Film Company and collaborated with the Minister General of the Order, Father Giovanni Parisi, to the restoration and amusement of the General Curia.

In 1944, In the absence of a parish priest for the church present in his fraction of origin, The current church of San Giovanni Battista, accompanied the family leaders of the area from the parish priest of the Pieve Collegiate, so as to trace the boundaries to erect a new parish in Campanelle.

In 1947 He returned to his religious province as Superior of the Seraphic Seminary of Massa Martana (Perugia), promoting its renovation. The following year he was elected Provincial minister, assignment he held for nine years. In this period the province of new convents and seminars endowed, He opened schools and founded a mission in Paraguay, thus encouraging the other Franciscan provinces to enhance missionary activities, Especially in Latin America.

His most ambitious work was the Return of the third regular order to Milan, where he had been absent for two centuries, From the time of the Giuseppine suppressions. The first contacts with the Archbishop Giovanni Battista Montini (future Pope Paul VI) led to the opening of a new parish in the outskirts of the city. On 7 October 1959, In the Cascina Arzaga area, The first provisional structure arose, a wooden shack that became the seat of the new Franciscan community. On 2 June 1960, Year of the twenty -fifth anniversary of his priesthood, Cardinal Montini officially erected the Parish of the patrons of Italy (St. Francis of Assisi and Santa Caterina da Siena), nominating Father Giovanni first provost.

With great determination, Father Giovanni started the construction of the vast parish complex, including the Church, the home of religious, The spaces for the oratory and a modern retired for students and workers. The whole took the name of Oasis of St. Francis, understood as a meeting place and spiritual refreshment in the metropolis. In 1967 The complex was now almost completed, symbol of his courageous vision and his organizational ability.

Always animated by the Franciscan spirit and attentive to the signs of Council 2, Father Giovanni participated in the general chapter of the Order in Rome when, In the February 1969, He was caught by death. The news had ample echo in the press: to its body, composed in the humble saio, they tribute to simple people and authority, including Cardinal Colombo, Archbishop of Milan, who wanted that the founder of the parish was buried in the church of the patrons of Italy. Today his tomb, a raw stone with bas -relief depicting Christ priest between praising angels, remember Father Giovanni Della Vecchia, “He cared for the construction of this house, It was a provost and true guide of the flock, for the greatness of the heart ".

Attilio Marinangeli

(20 December 1913 - 9 June 1970)

Who was: Priest and missionary
Vita: San Ginesio (Morro Tower), 20 December 1913 – Roma, 9 June 1970
Ordered presbyter in 1937, first he carried out pastoral and training assignments in the diocese of Camerino, also becoming rector of the city seminar. Animated by a strong innovative spirit, introduced modern methods into teaching, such as the use of audiovisual tools and didactic outputs, However, attracting the criticisms of part of the local ecclesiastical authority.

In 1958 Consolated Missions Institute entered the Institute and two years later he left for the Tanzania, where he worked in the diocese of Iringa. Here he dedicated himself to the evangelization and social promotion of local populations, organizing schools, hospitals and agricultural activities. Thanks to its versatility, He also carried out practical roles, from Mugnaio to mechanic, contributing to the growth of communities.

After the death of Bishop Attilio Beltramino, on 17 March 1967 he was appointed Apostolic administrator of Iringa, assignment that maintained up to 1969, When health began to decline due to gastric cancer. He died in Rome the 9 June 1970.

It is remembered as a figure of modern priest, close to people and capable of uniting faith, Pedagogical innovation and missionary spirit.

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