Arduino de Rímini

Who they were

Arduino was a disciple of Venerio, rector of the church of San Gregorio at Rimini. Seeking greater holiness, master and disciple settled at the solitary church of Sant'Apollinare in Classe. Arduino was remembered as a zealous priest who, unusually for the time, celebrated the Eucharist daily, taught and fought corruption without fear, and gave away alms to the needy, keeping only what he needed to live.

He was ordained priest by a simoniac bishop of Rimini who had bought his office; Saint Peter Damian later cited Arduino's holy life as proof that the sacraments' validity does not depend on the worthiness of the minister. When Venerio grew old, Arduino persuaded him to become abbot of San Godenzo and served as his helper. He died there in 1009 and was at once venerated as a Benedictine saint, though he may never have formally worn the habit.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: he has been honoured as a saint since before the Church's formal processes began.

Why that counted as sanctity

Priest and hermit at San Godenzo Abbey, cited by Saint Peter Damian as proof the sacraments' validity does not depend on the minister's worthiness; feast 15 August.

Connected on this site

• Peter Damian Saint
  “He was ordained priest by a simoniac bishop of Rimini who had bought his office; Saint Peter Damian later cited Arduino's holy life as proof that the sacraments' validity does not depend on the worthiness of the minister.” — this site's research