Blessed Giovanni da Parma: the saint of the day

Blessed John of Parma: Seventh minister general of the Franciscan Order, Giovanni was known for his attempts to bring back the previous spirit of the Order after the death of St. Francis of Assisi.

Blessed Giovanni da Parma: his life

He was born in Parma, in Italy, in 1209. It was when he was a young philosophy professor known for his devotion and culture that God called him to say goodbye to the world he was used to and enter the new world of the Franciscan Order. After his profession, John was sent to Paris to complete his theological studies. Ordained a priest, he was appointed to teach theology in Bologna, then in Naples and finally in Rome.

In 1245, Pope Innocent IV convened a general council in the city of Lyon, France. Crescentius, Franciscan general minister at the time, was ill and unable to attend. In his place he sent Friar John, who made a profound impression on the Church leaders gathered there. Two years later, when the pope himself presided over the election of a Franciscan general minister, he remembered Friar Giovanni well and considered him the most qualified man for the office.

And so in 1247 Giovanni da Parma was elected general minister. The surviving disciples of St. Francis rejoiced in his election, expecting a return to the spirit of poverty and humility of the early days of the Order. And they weren't disappointed. As a general of the Order, John traveled on foot, accompanied by one or two companions, to practically all the existing Franciscan convents. Sometimes he came and was not recognized, staying there for several days to test the true spirit of the brothers.

Ties with the Pope

The pope invited John to serve as a legate to Constantinople, where he was most successful in recapturing the schismatic Greeks. Upon his return, he demanded that someone else take his place to rule the Order. At the request of Giovanni, Saint Bonaventure was chosen to succeed him. Giovanni embarked on a life of prayer in the hermitage of Greccio.

Many years later, John learned that the Greeks who had reconciled with the Church for a time had relapsed into schism. Although he was now 80, John received permission from Pope Nicholas IV to return to the East in an attempt to restore unity once more. During the trip, John fell ill and died. He was beatified in 1781.

Blessed John of Parma: the reflection of the day

Reflection: In the thirteenth century, people in their thirties were middle-aged; hardly anyone lived to the ripe old age of 80. John did, but he didn't retire easily. Instead he was on his way to try to heal a schism in the Church when he died. Our society today boasts many people in their past decades. Like John, many of them lead active lives. But some are not that lucky. Weakness or ill health keep them confined and alone, waiting for our news. On March 20, the liturgical feast of Blessed Giovanni da Parma is celebrated.

At the end of this article I propose a video to visit the beautiful church of Parma dedicated to St. John the Evangelist. Beautiful places of architecture and spirituality.