Guglielmo Zucchi
Italian catholic priest and blessed
Who they were
Guglielmo was born in Alessandria in the 14th century, into a family later known by historians as the Zucchi. Nothing is known of his childhood; tradition says he lived for a time as a hermit before being ordained priest, after which he was put in charge of building the cathedral as prefect of works.
He was known for great zeal and charity: however much he gave to the poor, his purse was always found full again for other good works, so people used to say, 'I do not have Blessed Guglielmo's purse!' He died on 7 February 1377 and was buried first in the Dominican cloister of San Marco, later moved to the church crypt because of the people's devotion. His relics have since been moved several times and now rest in the Rosary Chapel of Alessandria Cathedral; his ancient veneration was confirmed by an 'ab immemorabili' process opened on 15 June 1977.
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
Alessandria priest known for charity while overseeing the building of the cathedral; his ancient veneration as blessed was confirmed by an 'ab immemorabili' process opened in 1977.
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.
- Santi, beati e testimoni (santiebeati.it) - Beato Guglielmo Zucchi, by Mauro Bonato
- Wikidata Q124672684 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
Checked against the sources listed on 22 September 2026. Corrections welcome.