Giovanni dalle Celle

Who they were

Giovanni da Catignano was abbot of the Vallombrosan monastery of Santa Trinità in Florence, a gifted and learned man well versed in Dante and Petrarch, but turbulent in temperament. Compromised by an improper relationship with a noblewoman, he was deposed from office and shut in the monastery's tower for a year; once his penance was complete, his monks wanted to restore him as abbot, but he insisted instead on living out his life in total seclusion in a nearby hermitage called "le Celle," which gave him the name Giovanni delle Celle. He remained there for forty years, given to prayer, study and penance, yet fully engaged with his times through an extensive correspondence with leading figures.

His most notable exchange was with Saint Catherine of Siena, who asked his help in persuading the Pope to leave Avignon and return to Rome, and whom he defended vigorously when a friar accused her of heresy; critics praise his letters for their vigorous style, clarity of judgement and strong religious feeling. He died in his cell, in 1394 or 1396, and his Vallombrosan brethren soon began venerating him as blessed.

The miracles

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

Why that counted as sanctity

Vallombrosan abbot and hermit-writer, correspondent and defender of St Catherine of Siena; venerated as blessed by his Order soon after his death; feast 10 March.

Connected on this site

• Catherine of Siena Saint
  “His most notable exchange was with Saint Catherine of Siena, who asked his help in persuading the Pope to leave Avignon and return to Rome, and whom he defended vigorously when a friar accused her of heresy; critics praise his letters for their vigorous style, clarity of judgement and strong religious feeling.” — this site's research