Blessed Benedetto Sinigardi Da Arezzo

Biography

Blessed Benedetto Sinigardi da Arezzo, also known as Benedetto Sinigardi or Benedict of Arezzo, was born around 1190 in Arezzo, Italy. He came from a wealthy and influential noble family, being the son of Thomas de Sinigardo 'Sinigardi' and Countess Elizabeth Tarlati Pietramala. Benedetto received a good education and grew up in a Christian home, which nurtured his early attraction to religious life.

In 1211, Benedetto had a life-changing encounter when he heard Saint Francis of Assisi preach in the Grande Piazza in Arezzo. Captivated by the saint's words, Benedetto became his spiritual student and later made the momentous decision to renounce his affluent and worldly lifestyle. He joined the Franciscans and was privileged to receive the habit directly from Saint Francis himself, embracing the simplicity and poverty of the Franciscan way of life.

Benedetto's dedication and spirituality made a profound impact within the Franciscan Order. At the young age of 27, he was chosen as the Franciscan Provincial of the Marches of Ancona, Italy. Demonstrating a strong desire to spread the Gospel and serve as a missionary, Benedetto embarked on an extensive journey throughout various regions. Over the course of twenty years, he traveled as a preacher, bringing the message of Christ to places such as Romania, Greece, Turkey, Syria, and Palestine.

In recognition of his abilities and commitment, Pope Innocent IV appointed Benedetto to work in the Latin Patriarchate of Constantinople. He became the Custos of the Holy Land and Franciscan Provincial in 1221. During his time in Constantinople, Benedetto established the first Franciscan monastery in the city, laying a foundation for the Franciscan presence in that region.

Returning to his hometown of Arezzo in 1241, Benedetto sought a life of solitude and contemplation. He retired to live as a prayerful monk at the convent of Poggio del Sole, where he remained for the following forty years. During this time, Benedetto introduced a beautiful tradition to the convent. He would ring a bell to announce the singing of a Marian antiphony, fostering a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary among the community. This tradition spread throughout the local area and eventually became the inspiration for the modern practice of the Angelus bells and prayer.

Although Benedetto wrote on various spiritual matters, including the Passion and the Blessed Virgin Mary, unfortunately, none of his works have survived. However, his legacy extends beyond his writings. He was recognized as a miracle worker during his lifetime, and popular devotion to him began immediately upon his death. The local laity regarded him as a saintly figure and sought his intercession in their lives.

Blessed Benedetto Sinigardi da Arezzo passed away in 1282 at the Franciscan Poggio del Sole convent in Arezzo, Italy, at the age of approximately 92. He died of natural causes and was initially buried at the convent. However, when the convent was later demolished, his remains were re-interred in the Basilica of San Francesco in Arezzo, where they lie to this day.

Though not officially venerated or beatified as of now, Blessed Benedetto Sinigardi da Arezzo's profound impact on the Franciscan Order and his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary have left an indelible mark on the spiritual landscape of Arezzo, making him a revered figure among the local faithful.