BENVENUTO da GUBBIO, blessed. - A nobleman and soldier of Gubbio, in 1222 he was received among the Friars Minor by St. Francesco, who was certain that B. would replace the valor of arms with the heroism of virtues. Indeed, he soon became outstanding in the humblest offices. Entrusted with the care of lepers, overcoming his natural repugnance, he served them with paternal affection, showing himself neither weary nor fatigued, although he practiced the harshest penances. Because of his charity he was called the “apostle of lepers.” Stricken by a grave illness, he died at Corneto in Puglia in 1232. At Illiceto, where a relic (an arm) is venerated, his feast was celebrated on 5 May; in the Franciscan Order, however, it falls on
