Caro di Malcesine

Who they were

Saint Caro of Malcesine and his companion Saint Benigno were hermits of the early Middle Ages who withdrew to the slopes of Monte Baldo, above Lake Garda, living by prayer, manual work and hospitality to travellers. Almost nothing certain is known of Caro's origins, but tradition places him in the eighth or ninth century as a disciple or companion of Benigno, and their veneration is documented from the fourteenth century.

The two hermits are chiefly remembered for helping translate the relics of Saint Zeno of Verona to the new basilica there, about the year 807, after others had failed. According to tradition, they were later falsely accused over their friendship with a woman named Olivetta who helped with their household chores, and cleared themselves before the bishop through wonders such as turnips grown overnight to giant size. Caro died, tradition says, on 26 July, not long after Benigno, and in 1314 their relics were placed in a chapel in the church of Santo Stefano at Malcesine, where their feast is still kept on 26 July.

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

Early medieval hermit of Monte Baldo linked with the translation of St Zeno's relics to Verona, about 807; feast 26 July.

Connected on this site

• Zeno of Verona Saint
  “The two hermits are chiefly remembered for helping translate the relics of Saint Zeno of Verona to the new basilica there, about the year 807, after others had failed.” — this site's research