Baldassare Ravaschieri

16 October (Diocese of Pavia)
17 October

AttributesFranciscan habitPatronage

Chiavari
Against gout

Baldassare Ravaschieri (1420 – 17 October 1492) was an Italian Roman Catholic priest and a professed member of the Order of Friars Minor of the strict observance.^[1] Ravaschieri served as a noted preacher and confessor and befriended as contemporaries Blessed Bernardine of Feltre and architect Giovanni Antonio Amadeo.^[2]

Ravaschieri's beatification received confirmation - on 8 January 1930 - after Pope Pius XI issued a decree that acknowledged his 'cultus' (or popular devotion and following).^[3]

Life

Baldassare Ravaschieri was born in the Republic of Genoa in 1420 to nobles whose ancestors were the counts of Lavagna; his father was Count Cattaneo (d. 1421). His aunts Ginerva and Tobia - both Franciscan tertiaries - were responsible for his religious upbringing.^[2]

He entered the convent of the Order of Friars Minor not too far from his home in Genoa where he became noted for being a good theologian and a model religious while also acting as a zealous confessor. He was also known for his practice of mortifications. Ravaschieri also served as the order's superior and later its vicar provincial.^[2] His studies for the priesthood were conducted at Santa Maria del Campo (where he earned his doctorate in theological studies)^[3] before he was ordained as a priest.^[1] Ravaschieri also suffered from gout which limited his movements and required him to sometimes be carried to Mass.

Ravaschieri also served as a preacher alongside Bernardine of Feltre.^[1] He was a friend of the architect Giovanni Antonio Amadeo and the confessor of Veronica of Milan.^[2] It was once said that on one winter night he had remained in the woods where it was snowing though the spot he was sitting in was without snow.^[3]

He died on 17 October 1492. His relics were transferred to Pavia in 1805.^[3]

Beatification

The Diocese of Pavia initiated the cause for beatification that later resulted in the recognition of his 'cultus' (or popular following) which allowed for Pope Pius XI - on 8 January 1930 - to confirm his beatification.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Blessed Balthassar of Chiavari". Saints SQPN. 8 April 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Ravaschieri, Balthasar, Bl". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Blessed Baldassare Ravaschieri from Chiavari". Santi e Beati. Retrieved 23 July 2016.