Allucio of Campigliano
Encyclopedia
Saint Allucio of Campigliano (or Allucio da Pescia) (1070–1134) was a Tuscan
holy man who distinguished himself by his work on behalf of pilgrims and the poor, and for peace. In the Roman Catholic Church
his feast day is celebrated on 23 October.
Born in Valdinievole
near Pescia
to a well-to-do rural landowner, he spent his youth shepherding the family's flock before devoting his life to acts of charity
. He built two churches, a bridge over the Arno
, three hospices for pilgrims and other travellers, including one on his own property at Campigliano near Uzzano
. He was a generous alms
giver. Later in his life he mediated between the Tuscan city-states, seeking to prevent conflicts that in later centuries would grow into open and continual war. He died at Valdinievole.
When Allucio's relics were being translated in 1344, a vita
was discovered stored in the reliquary
. According to the record of the proceedings held by the clergy of Pescia on the occasion of the translation, legendam de vita et quibusdam miraculis dicti sancti Allucii in cartula pecuria scriptam ("a legend about the life and what was said about the miracles of the holy Allucius written in one document"). It was thought to be from the twelfth or thirteenth century.
Tuscany
Tuscany is a region in Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres and a population of about 3.75 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ....
holy man who distinguished himself by his work on behalf of pilgrims and the poor, and for peace. In the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
his feast day is celebrated on 23 October.
Born in Valdinievole
Valdinievole
Valdinievole or Val di Nievole ") is an area in the south-western part of the province of Pistoia, Tuscany, Italy. The saint Allucio of Campigliano was born to a wealthy, landed family in the Valdinievole and he ministered to the poor and travellers there.-Geography:The area is made up of 11...
near Pescia
Pescia
Pescia is an Italian city in the province of Pistoia, Tuscany, central Italy.It is located in a central zone between the cities Lucca and Florence, on the banks of the homonymous river.-History:...
to a well-to-do rural landowner, he spent his youth shepherding the family's flock before devoting his life to acts of charity
Charity (practice)
The practice of charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need who are not related to the giver.- Etymology :The word "charity" entered the English language through the Old French word "charité" which was derived from the Latin "caritas".Originally in Latin the word caritas meant...
. He built two churches, a bridge over the Arno
Arno
The Arno is a river in the Tuscany region of Italy. It is the most important river of central Italy after the Tiber.- Source and route :The river originates on Mount Falterona in the Casentino area of the Apennines, and initially takes a southward curve...
, three hospices for pilgrims and other travellers, including one on his own property at Campigliano near Uzzano
Uzzano
Uzzano is a comune in the Province of Pistoia in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 45 km west of Florence and about 15 km southwest of Pistoia...
. He was a generous alms
Alms
Alms or almsgiving is a religious rite which, in general, involves giving materially to another as an act of religious virtue.It exists in a number of religions. In Philippine Regions, alms are given as charity to benefit the poor. In Buddhism, alms are given by lay people to monks and nuns to...
giver. Later in his life he mediated between the Tuscan city-states, seeking to prevent conflicts that in later centuries would grow into open and continual war. He died at Valdinievole.
When Allucio's relics were being translated in 1344, a vita
Biography
A biography is a detailed description or account of someone's life. More than a list of basic facts , biography also portrays the subject's experience of those events...
was discovered stored in the reliquary
Reliquary
A reliquary is a container for relics. These may be the physical remains of saints, such as bones, pieces of clothing, or some object associated with saints or other religious figures...
. According to the record of the proceedings held by the clergy of Pescia on the occasion of the translation, legendam de vita et quibusdam miraculis dicti sancti Allucii in cartula pecuria scriptam ("a legend about the life and what was said about the miracles of the holy Allucius written in one document"). It was thought to be from the twelfth or thirteenth century.