Saint Homobonus
| Saint Homobonus | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 12th century, Cremona |
| Died | November 13, 1197, Cremona |
| Canonized | January 12, 1199 by Pope Innocent III |
| Major shrine | Cremona; his head is preserved in the church of Saint Giles |
| Feast | November 13 |
| Attributes | Bag of money; merchant’s robes |
| Patronage | Business people, tailors, shoemakers, clothworkers, Cremona |
 |
|
Saint Homobonus ((Italian) Sant'Omobono,
(German) Saint Gutman; died November 13, 1197) was a merchant from
Homobonus was able to pursue this calling in life easily as a result of the inheritance he received from his father, a prosperous tailor and merchant. He practiced his business at Cremona with scrupulous honesty. He also donated a large proportion of his profits to the relief of the poor.
Homobonus was a frequent church attendee that would partake in the Eucharist everyday. While attending mass, prostrated in the form of a cross, on November 13, 1197, Homobonus died. Two years later Homobonus was canonized by Pope Innocent III. During Homobonus's canonization Pope Innocent III said that Homobonus was a "father of the poor", "consoler of the afflicted", "assiduous in constant prayer", "man of peace and peacemaker", "a man good in name and deed", "this saint, is still like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in our time."
He is the patron saint of business people, tailors, shoemakers, and clothworkers, as well as of Cremona itself. He was canonized in 1199 at the urgent request of the citizens of Cremona. His feast day is celebrated on November 13.
The church of Sant'Omobono in Rome is dedicated to him.
Homobonus in popular culture
In recent years, statuettes of Saint Homobonus are being sold as novelty items or executive toys in the United States. As the patron saint of business people, Homobonus has become a relevant figure in corporate culture.
There is even a digital marketing agency that takes the saint's name. Omobono Ltd[1] is based in Cambridge, UK. A priest was one of the founders of the organisation.
Sources
- Hallam, Elizabeth (ed.) (1994). Saints: Who They Are and How They Help You. New York: Simon & Schuster, p. 66.
External links
- Catholic Forum: Homobonus
- Vatican (Papal letter containing reference to Homobonus)
- San Omobono (Italian)
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
