Marco da Montegallo
Marco da Montegallo (1425 - 19 March 1496) was an Italian religious priest from the Order of Friars Minor. He was born to a nobleman and served as a doctor in Ascoli Piceno before he was pressured into marriage in 1451 - the couple annulled their marriage after both entered the religious life. Father Marco is best known for establishing pawnshops for the poor across various Italian cities and for being a preacher of love.
His beatification received ratification on 20 September 1839 after Pope Gregory XVI confirmed the late priest's local 'cultus' - or a spontaneous and enduring popular devotion on the part of the faithful. His feast is celebrated on 20 March rather than his death date of 19 March due to it being the feast of Saint Joseph.
Patron saint of physicians; married couples; Montegallo
In the Martyrology
- March 19 Blessed Marco da Montegallo, Franciscan priest