Fortunatus of Spoleto
Encyclopedia
Saint Fortunatus of Spoleto (died ca. 400 AD) was a parish priest near Spoleto
in Umbria
sometime between the 4th and 5th centuries. He is venerated as a saint
within the Catholic Church
Little historical detail regarding Fortunatus survives, but he may have been a native of Montefalco
, a hill town near Spoleto in Umbria
. He became noted after his death for his charity and love for the poor. A legend told of him states that one day, while plowing a field, Fortunatus found two coins of apparently little value. He placed them in his pocket. That evening, upon meeting a poor man upon the road, Fortunatus decided to give the man the two coins. The sunlight suddenly illuminated the two coins, making them shine like gold. Not wishing to be tempted by avarice, Fortunatus quickly gave the small treasure to the poor man and hurried away.
After his death, Fortunatus became the focus of a local cult, and the Convent of San Fortunato near Montefalco was dedicated to him.
Spoleto
Spoleto is an ancient city in the Italian province of Perugia in east central Umbria on a foothill of the Apennines. It is S. of Trevi, N. of Terni, SE of Perugia; SE of Florence; and N of Rome.-History:...
in Umbria
Umbria
Umbria is a region of modern central Italy. It is one of the smallest Italian regions and the only peninsular region that is landlocked.Its capital is Perugia.Assisi and Norcia are historical towns associated with St. Francis of Assisi, and St...
sometime between the 4th and 5th centuries. He is venerated as a saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
within the Catholic Church
Little historical detail regarding Fortunatus survives, but he may have been a native of Montefalco
Montefalco
Montefalco is a town and comune in the central part of the Italian province of Perugia, on an outcrop of the Colli Martani above the flood plain of the Clitunno river, 7 km SE of Bevagna, 11 km SW of Foligno, and 9 km NW of Trevi.-History:The town has been actively settled since...
, a hill town near Spoleto in Umbria
Umbria
Umbria is a region of modern central Italy. It is one of the smallest Italian regions and the only peninsular region that is landlocked.Its capital is Perugia.Assisi and Norcia are historical towns associated with St. Francis of Assisi, and St...
. He became noted after his death for his charity and love for the poor. A legend told of him states that one day, while plowing a field, Fortunatus found two coins of apparently little value. He placed them in his pocket. That evening, upon meeting a poor man upon the road, Fortunatus decided to give the man the two coins. The sunlight suddenly illuminated the two coins, making them shine like gold. Not wishing to be tempted by avarice, Fortunatus quickly gave the small treasure to the poor man and hurried away.
After his death, Fortunatus became the focus of a local cult, and the Convent of San Fortunato near Montefalco was dedicated to him.
External links
San Fortunato di Spoleto- Commons: Convento di San Fortunato with frescoes by Gozzoli