ARIALDO, Saint. – Leader of the reform movement in Milan under the episcopate of Archbishop Guido da Velate (1045–71), the appointee of Henry III who opposed the reform movement known as the Pataria.
A., of the noble family of Carimate (and not of Alzate), was born at Cucciaio di Cantù around the year 1000. After studies in Milan, he was raised to the diaconate, in which order he remained for life. He formed a close friendship with Anselmo da Baggio, cardinal-priest of the Milanese Church, with the nobleman Landolfo Cotta, notary-clerk of the Metropolitan Church, and other zealous Catholics, with whom he founded a society to combat clerical incontinence, called by opponents the Pataria and its followers the Patarines (rag-pickers). A. began to preach reform at Varese, then in Milan, addressing the people to rouse them against the clergy, who were scandalous and rebellious to the orders of Rome. At the provincial synod held at Fontaneto (Novara) under Guido’s presidency, A. and Landolfo were excommunicated, but both appealed to Rome. While on their way, they were attacked by an assassin at Piacenza; Landolfo, wounded, returned to Milan, while A. was able to continue. The Pope sent as his legate to Milan the monk Libedrando and Anselmo da Baggio, who had become Bishop of Lucca, and these men encouraged the reformers to persist in their struggle. The same encouragement came from the new legate, St. Peter Damian, Bishop of Ostia.
After Landolfo’s death, A. placed at the head of the popular party, favorable to reform, Erlembaldo (q.v.), a noble knight and Landolfo’s brother, whom Pope Alexander II (Anselmo da Baggio) appointed standard-bearer of the Holy Church. The struggle flared up again in Milan and became tragic. At Pentecost 1066, there was an uproar in the Duomo over the bulls of excommunication against Guido, brought by Erlembaldo; A. was wounded and Guido, emboldened, laid the city under interdict until A. should leave II. A. then departed secretly; joined by Erlembaldo, he was taken by him to Pavia with the intention of proceeding to Rome. Near Piacenza, however, they were stopped by a friend of Guido and A. was taken prisoner. After being freed, he was soon betrayed by a priest of the opposing party and taken to the castle of Angera, ruled by Oliva, Guido’s niece. She had the deacon conveyed to an islet on Lake Maggiore, where he was murdered by two wicked priests who mutilated his corpse (27 June 1066). Ten months later, his body was transferred to Milan by Erlembaldo. It seems that Pope Alexander II proclaimed him a martyr (1068); in any case, the cult paid to him from ancient times was confirmed by Pius X on 13 July 1904 with the formula “sanctus vel beatus nuncupatus.” Feast, 27 June.