Giovanni Colombini
Italian merchant, religious and Roman Catholic blessed (1304-1367)
Feast: 31 July (not on the universal Roman calendar; kept in the Roman Martyrology or local calendars)
Who they were
Giovanni Colombini, a rich merchant of Siena, was greedy, ambitious and quick-tempered until, reading the life of St Mary of Egypt, he was converted to deep humility and meekness.
After his son's death and his daughter's entry into religion, he gave his fortune to the poor with his wife's consent and founded the Jesuati, who constantly praised the name of Jesus. He died on 31 July 1367; many miracles followed at his tomb.
The miracles
Pope Gregory XIII entered his name in the Roman Martyrology; there was never a formal cause.
Why that counted as sanctity
A merchant who gave everything away for Christ.
The cause
The cause continues. No postulation address is published here yet. Favours received through this person’s intercession, and offers of help, are best sent to the religious order or congregation they belonged to, or to the diocese where the cause was opened; either will pass them to the postulation.
Connected on this site
- Ignatius of Loyola Saint“1304 – 31 July 1367) was an Italian merchant and founder of the Congregation of Jesuati (not to be confused with the Jesuits, the Society of Jesus, founded in the 16th century by Ignatius of Loyola).” — Wikipedia
- Mary of Egypt Saint“Giovanni Colombini, a rich merchant of Siena, was greedy, ambitious and quick-tempered until, reading the life of St Mary of Egypt, he was converted to deep humility and meekness.” — this site's research
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), via New Advent - Blessed Giovanni Colombini
- Roman Martyrology, 31 July (Italian Bishops' Conference, Santo del giorno) - listed as Blessed
- Wikidata Q2326323 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — Giovanni Colombini (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.