BL. MATTHEW OF GIMARA, BISHOP OF GIRGENTI

BL. MATTHEW OF GIMARA, BISHOP OF GIRGENTI - 7 JANUARY

BLESSED MATTHEW OF GIMARA, BISHOP OF GIRGENTI

After completing his studies, which he is said to have undertaken in Spain, Blessed Matthew (Matthaeus, Matteo da Gimara), Bishop of Girgenti (Agrigentum) attached himself to Saint Bernardine of Siena (who died in 1444). Under his guidance Matthew made extraordinary progress in his spiritual life. The Sicilia Sacra of D. R. Pirro calls him the first founder of the Franciscan Observants in Sicily. Pope Martin V, who gave him the authority in 1417, encouraged Matthew to found five branches of this Order on the island. At the same time he worked as a zealous and eloquent preacher of repentance. Before he ascended the pulpit, he used to invoke the holy names of Jesus and Mary, and to this practice he attributed his great successes. He also called the monasteries he founded “Mary of Jesus” out of tender veneration for the Queen of Heaven.

In 1443, Eugene IV elevated him to the See of Girgenti (Agrigentum). Before long, Matthew began to outshine everyone as an improver of the morals of the people and the clergy. He distributed almost all of the church's income to the poor. When the canons, from whom he demanded a greater love of poverty, accused him of wasting church property, he resigned the following year and asked to be admitted at one of the monasteries he had founded in Palermo.

From then on, over several years, divine grace grew in him to such an extent that he also shone through miracles. He died after receiving the Eucharist with his eyes raised to heaven on January 7, 1450. The Seraphic Martyrology* relates that when his body was brought into the church, he sat up once more and for a few moments prayerfully adored the Blessed Sacrament before finally reclining on the bier. Matthew rests in the church of St Mary of Jesus and enjoys great veneration. There you can also see his portrait and several votive tablets depicting the miracles he performed. Pope Clement XIII allowed the public celebration of his festival in Palermo. (Sicilia S.I. 714).

Blessed Matthew is also commemorated on January 28, February 21, and March 13.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 4, Augsburg, 1875, pp. 315-16)

*A hagiography source used by the authors

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Blessed Matthew may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org

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