BESOZZI, GIAMPIETRO. - Ascetical writer, born in Milan of a noble family in 1503, died there in the repute of sanctity in 1584. He belonged to the register of city notaries and practised law. He became a Barnabite, while his wife entered the Angeliche di S. Paolo. In 1546 he was appointed to govern his Congregation, an office renewed for him several times. He was intimate with s. Carlo Borromeo and a sought-after adviser to eminent persons. He defended his Order against accusations and calumnies, being favoured by s. Pio V and by s. Ignazio di Loyola. He oversaw the publication of the Constitutions of his Order, on which he had laboured greatly.
B. is the author of several spiritual works, among them: Discorsi intorno alla vita di s. Paolo Apostolo confermati etc. (Milan 1573; revised and corrected edition with the addition of new discourses, Brescia 1576); Discorsi intorno alla vita della beata M. Maddalena et le sue meravigliose virtù et gratie (Venice 1575); Lettere spirituali sopra alcune feste et sacri tempi dell'anno (dedicated to s. Carlo, Milan 1578).