MICHELE CÀRCANO. — Born in Milan in 1427, died in Lodi on 20 March 1484. As a boy he was a frequent listener, along with his father Donato (a ducal councillor), to St Bernardino of Siena when he preached in Milan. Attracted by the Saint, after completing his studies in the trivium and quadrivium, in the prime of life he entered the Franciscan Friars Minor at the convent of Santa Croce in Como, where he soon distinguished himself for his virtue and theological learning. At the age of 24 he became a preacher and travelled throughout Italy and Palestine (1440–84), evangelizing with the efficacy of his extraordinary eloquence. Milan, Mantua, Brescia, Bergamo, Padua, Venice, Piacenza, Bologna, Siena, Florence, Trent, Rome and other cities admired him as a new St Paul, in testimony, among others, of the blessed Bernardino da Feltre. The largest cathedrals were not sufficient to contain the immense crowds that flocked to hear him, so that he was often obliged to preach in public squares. He had the gift from God of persuading and moving his hearers to tears. Thus he revived Christian and civic life everywhere, and in 1462 induced the city of Perugia to establish the first Mount of Piety with loans at low interest; an example later followed, through his efforts, by Bologna and Padua. In Milan, Como and Piacenza he persuaded the citizens to consolidate the numerous hospitals, which were no longer adequate for the multitude of sufferers. Venice and Crema erected hospitals at his persuasion. Created papal nuncio for the Crusade by Pius II and Sixtus IV, he preached in the Duchy of Milan and that of Venice.
As provincial of the Milanese Observance, he brought renewal to the Franciscan monasteries, the convents of the Poor Clares and the Third Order; in Milan he promoted the foundation of the “Pious Society of Charity.”
His apostolic frankness cost him exile from Milan twice (1472–75), but on his return he continued his restorative work even at the ducal court, and was a comfort to the deposed Duchess Bona of Savoy, as he had previously been spiritual director to Duchess Bianca Maria Visconti.
He died while preaching in Lodi; venerated as a blessed, graces and miracles were obtained at his tomb. His name is found in the Martyrologium franciscanum (Rome 1938, p. 140) under 20 March. The writers of his time and the contemporary acts of the communes and states of Italy bear witness to his remarkable activity. The cause for the confirmation of his cult is under way.