CORRADO da OFFIDA, blessed. - He was a Franciscan who renewed the characteristic figures of the friars of the Fioretti. Born in Offida in 1237, he entered the Order in 1251 and, abandoning his studies with the permission of his superiors, devoted himself to his own perfection, alternating the contemplative life with preaching, moving from convent to
convent. From an initial convent, which has remained unknown, he subsequently went to La Verna, to Forano (then a forest, in the territory of Appignano), to Sirolo, to Rivortorto near Assisi, and finally to the Porziuncola.
He knew friar Leone and was a close friend of Blessed Pietro da Trisa; although he had received Holy Orders, he did not celebrate Mass, out of humility; he converted sinners and enjoyed numerous visions and ecstasies. He died at Bastia near Assisi in 1306 while preaching Advent there. Recent studies suggest that he did not take part in the movement of the Spirituals, which troubled the Order in his time, as the pamphlet of La Verna fr. Conradi de Offida and the letter addressed to him by Olivì concerning the question of the validity of the Pope’s renunciation of the papacy had instead led one to believe; perhaps he was able to maintain a proper middle course, remaining attached to the community. His cult was recognized by the Church in 1817, and his feast falls on 17 December.