Blessed Ranieri Rasini

detail of the painting 'Blessed Ranieri Delivering the Poor from a Prison in Florence' by Stefano di Giovanni di Consolo da Cortona, early 15th century; Musée du Louvre, Paris, France; photographed by Sailko on 15 November 2013; swiped from Wikimedia Commons Also known as

Ranieri of Aretino
Ranieri of Arezzo
Ranieri of Borgo
Ranieri of Sansepolcro
Raniero…
Ranier…

Memorial

Profile

Franciscan Friar Minor who served as his convent porter and beggar in Borgo San Sepolcro (modern Sansepolcro), Italy. He was known for his humility, poverty, patience and service to the poor.

Among the miracles attributed to him was the resurrection from the dead of two children, which led to his patronage of women in labour who sought his protection for their new children. In 2004, on the 700th anniversary of his death, the bell in the tower of the San Francesco church was dedicated to Ranier, and it is rung each time there is a birth in the town.

Born

c.1250 in Sansepolcro, Umbria, Italy

Died

1 November 1304 in Sansepolcro, Umbria, Italy of natural causes
embalmed (unusual for the day) and interred in the crypt of the church of San Francesco in Sansepolcro

Beatified

popular devotion among the poor of Sansepolcro, Italy began immediately upon his death
the city council of Sansepolcro soon after had an altar erected in his honour in the local church of San Francesco, and began collecting testimonies of miracles attributed to his intercession
18 December 1802 by Pope Pius VII (cultus confirmation)