John Gualbert

Who they were

John Gualbert, son of a noble Florentine, was born around 985-995. Bound by custom to avenge a murdered relative, he met the murderer in a narrow lane, but when the man threw himself down with arms outstretched in the form of a cross, John forgave him for love of Christ. Praying afterwards at San Miniato, he saw the crucifix bow its head to him.

He became a Benedictine at San Miniato, then left to seek a stricter life and founded the monastery of Vallombrosa, the beginning of the Vallombrosan Order. He died at Passignano on 12 July 1073.

The miracles

The story of the crucifix at San Miniato is tradition. The miracles examined for his canonisation are not described in the sources we have used.

Why that counted as sanctity

John Gualbert forgave his kinsman's murderer at the sight of the cross, and gave his whole life to God from that moment.

Connected on this site

• Atto of Pistoia Saint
  “He wrote lives of St John Gualbert and St Bernard of Parma, and brought relics of St James of Compostela to Pistoia.” — this site's research
• Peter Igneus Saint
  “Peter Aldobrandini, a Vallombrosan monk, was chosen by St John Gualbert in 1068 to undergo trial by fire against a simoniac bishop of Florence; he passed through unharmed, earning the name 'Igneus', and the bishop confessed.” — this site's research