Blessed James Oldo (1364-1404)
(Franciscan Media) Born in Italy, Lodi to a well to do family, James married Catharine Bocconi at a young age who like him, appreciated the comforts of their day that came with their wealth but an outbreak of plague drove James, his wife and children out of their home into the countryside–Despite all of the precautions James and Catherine took, two of their daughters died.
Subsequent to the death of their daughters, James and Catharine were determined to use whatever time they had left in their lives, ‘to lay up treasures in heaven’ (Matthew 6:19-24) together with building up God’s Kingdom on earth. They transformed their mansion into a Chapel, where small groups of people came for prayer and support.
John and Catharine became Secular Franciscans giving up their their old lifestyle and did penance for their sins. James took care of a frail sick Priest who taught him Latin. Upon the death of his wife Catharine, James himself became a Priest according to Catholic News Agency, he continued working with the sick and prisoners of war. — By his life, Fr. James Oldo inspired many to enter the religious life.
Fr. James Oldo died a young at the age of 40 on this date in 1404 and according to SQPN was buried in the Church of St. Julian of which he and his wife Catharine had financed. In 1789 Fr. Oldo was reinterred in the Cathedral of Italy Lodi and in 1934 was Beatified by Pope Pius XI
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