SANTE BONCUORI (also written BUONCUORI, BUONCUORE, and sometimes mistakenly BOCARDO), ST. — Franciscan Conventual, born in Monte San Pietrangeli (province of Ascoli Piceno), more likely than in Penna San Giovanni as others claim, in the early 1400s; he obtained his master's degree in theology at the University of Padua. In 1459 he was elected provincial minister (no. 419) of his Marches province, which he governed until 1462. His death occurred after this date.
He was a faithful disciple and admirer of St. Bernardino of Siena and imitated his methods of preaching. He should be distinguished from Blessed Sante Brancorsini (d. 1394) and probably also from Father Master Sante of Aquila (concerning whom
1851
BONCUORI SANTE — BONET HONORÉ
cf. Arch. Francisc. Hist., 27 [1937], p. 42). Around 1460 he wrote a work, De firma fide, dedicated to Federico, Count of Urbino and Montefeltro, and several ascetical booklets (manuscripts in the Estense Library): Fior novello, life of St. Bernardino of Siena, one of the earliest (1451), valuable for direct information since Boncuori was present at the saint’s death in L’Aquila (published in La Verna, 9 [1911–12], pp. 396 ff.); Et Crucifisso, in 17 chapters (1449); L’angeliata de Jesu con posta per le devote figlie de Santa Croce... (Florence 1451); Regula del ben morire (1453).