GIOVANNI (BERNARDO) dei TOLOMEI, blessed. — Founder of the Congregation of S. Maria del Monte Oliveto, born in Siena on 10 May 1272, into the noble Tolomei family, died there on 20 August 1348. Having graduated in law, he held several municipal offices, including that of podestà, in his native city; but in 1313 he withdrew with two companions, Patrizio Patrizi and Ambrogio Piccolomini, to Accona (Chiusi), where he led an eremitical life without following any particular Rule.
The arrival of other companions aroused suspicions, and G. had to give an account of his foundation to Pope Giovanni XXII at Avignon and, in agreement with the bishop of Arezzo, choose one of the Rules already in existence. He chose the Benedictine Rule, but wished to wear the white habit instead of the black, and introduced various austerities as a greater exercise of penance. After the monastery had been built, he received from the bishop its charter of foundation and exemption in 1319, and remained its superior until his death. At his religious profession he took the name Bernardo, out of devotion to the holy Marian doctor. The plague of 1348 brought him to Siena with his monks to serve those stricken by the disease; but soon, himself afflicted, he succumbed, followed thereafter by another fifty monks. His cult was confirmed by Innocent X in 1644, and his name was inserted in the Roman Martyrology by Innocent XI on 6 May 1689. Feast day: 21 August.