Saint Homobonus

Life story

Homobonus, Omobono in Italian, meaning good man, lived in Cremona in northern Italy in the twelfth century. He was a married layman who inherited a prosperous cloth and tailoring business from his father. Sources describe him as scrupulously honest in business; he and his wife lived simply and gave much of their income to the poor, practising works of mercy.

A legend says that while travelling he gave his food and drink to a beggar and his water turned into wine; this is legend. His biographies say he went to the church of St Giles each night for matins and stayed for morning Mass, and according to those accounts he died on 13 November 1197 while attending Mass there. Some sources add that he settled quarrels between families and neighbours; these are devotional biographies, so specific details should be read with caution.

Pope Innocent III canonised him on 12 January 1199, about fourteen months after his death, at the urgent request of the citizens of Cremona. He is honoured as patron of business people, tailors, shoemakers, clothworkers and the city of Cremona. His feast is 13 November.

Works and witness

• Ran his father's cloth and tailoring business honestly
• Lived simply with his wife and gave much to the poor
• Known as a peacemaker between families and neighbours
• Died on 13 November 1197 in Cremona
• Canonised by Innocent III on 12 January 1199

Patron of

Business people, Tailors, Shoemakers, Clothworkers, City of Cremona

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

• Bollandists, 'Saint Homobonus' (bollandistes.org), citing André Vauchez
• Catholic Weekly (Australia), 'Saint Homobonus, patron of business leaders'
• Catholic Novena App, 'About St Homobonus' (devotional biography)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.