Blessed Rizziero of Muccia

Blessed Rizziero of Muccia

Confessor, First Order

On the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the year 1220, St Francis of Assisi was preaching in the public square at Bologna before an immense crowd of people. One of those present, who was later archdeacon of Spalato, gives the following account of the event:

“It seemed as though the entire town had congregated in that place. The holy preacher spoke of the angels, of men, and of devils; everything he said was calculated to end the dissension existing in that city. He spoke of those intelligent beings so clearly and purposefully that many learned men in the audience were in admiration. He did not speak in the usual manner of preachers, but in a popular style and with only his purpose in mind. His external appearance was plain and unpretentious, but his words were imbued with such supernatural force that many among the nobility, whose violent and unbridled passions had been the cause of much bloodshed, were reconciled with one another. The veneration of the people was so general that crowds of men and women pressed about him and considered themselves favored if they could but touch the hem of his garment.”

So much for the account. Another result of the sermon was the vocation to the Franciscan Order of two young men in the audience, who were later beatified – Rizziero and Peregrin.

Blessed Rizziero of Muccia was born of a noble family in Muccia in central Italy. He studied in the University of Bologna, but was so affected by the sermon of the holy Founder that he renounced all the world offered him in order to become a follower of the Poor Man of Assisi. In spirit, St Francis saw the great designs of God regarding the young man and said to him:

Blessed Rizziero of Muccia

“You will be a priest and will preach the word of God with great success; you will serve God and your brethren in various offices of the order.”

When Rizziero received the holy habit it seemed that also the spirit of his seraphic Father had come upon him. He was inflamed with the love of God and zeal for souls, treasured holy poverty and practiced it to extremes. Together with consummate virtue Blessed Rizziero of Muccia manifested singular prudence, and for this reason, after several years of successful preaching he was appointed provincial for the March of Ancona by the holy Founder.

But God did not exempt Rizziero from trials. Although he was an admirable director to others, he found himself entangled in a mesh of temptations that caused him great sorrow and confusion of mind. He prayed, fasted, and practiced severe penance, but all to no avail. He believed that he was rejected by God, that blessed Father Francis knew it, and for that reason did not love him anymore and consider him his son. The thought tortured him so terribly that one day he resolved to go to Assisi in order to learn whether it was really true.

St Francis, who was lying seriously ill, was informed by God of the sad trail Rizziero was suffering and of his arrival in Assisi. He sent two of the brethren to meet him. They were to receive him in his name and greet him as one of Francis’ most beloved sons, and conduct him into his presence. The greeting brought great relief to Rizziero as he hastened to the bedside of the sick saint. St Francis rose from his couch, pressed Rizziero to his bosom, assured him again of his great affection for him, and made the Sign of the Cross on his forehead.

At once Rizziero was transported, so to say, from hell up to heaven. St Francis said to him: “This temptation, my son, has served very much to increase your merit; but in future you will be delivered from it.” St Francis kept Blessed Rizziero of Muccia close to him until his death soon afterwards.

After the death of St Francis, Blessed Rizziero of Muccia lived another ten years in undisturbed peace of mind, steadily advancing in virtue. He died in his native town of Muccia, in 1236. Veneration of him began at once, and many sick people, especially those who suffered from fever, were restored to health through his intercession. Pope Gregory XVI approved the celebration of his feast.

*from The Franciscan Book of Saints, Marion Habig, OFM

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