GERARD of MONZA, St. — Also known as Tintore or dei Tintori, from the name of his family, he was born in Monza around 1134 and died there on 6 June 1202.
Having been orphaned, he devoted all his goods and his life to alleviating and caring for the poor and the sick, first welcoming them lovingly into his own home and then in a special hospital that he built at his own expense. This hospital was provided with good statutes and placed under the patronage of the civic authority and the obedience of the local archpriest at the time. Untiring in his role, he himself sought out the sick, especially those afflicted by plague, carried them on his shoulders, and washed them with careful attention, particularly if they were afflicted with sores or leprosy. And God, in turn, cooperated with miracles of healing and even with providential acts of kindness, once multiplying the wheat and wine for the hospital when it had consumed all its supplies.
Venerated as a saint immediately after his death, St Charles Borromeo instituted the process for the confirmation of his cult, which was obtained in 1582 from Gregory XIII.