GIOVANNI of LODI, blessed. - Camaldolese, born at Lodi about 1040, died at Gubbio on 7 Sept. 1105. He embraced the eremitical life at Fontavellana in 1064 under the guidance of St Pier Damiano, whose companion he was on his frequent journeys, after his priestly ordination, which took place in 1065. He was the Saint’s first biographer and inherited his ascetic spirit.
Having returned to Fontavellana after the death of St Pier Damiano, he was elected prior there, an office he held until his elevation to the episcopate of Gubbio, to which Pope Pasquale II appointed him in 1104. But, being by then an octogenarian, he lived only one more year. He is well known for his austerity of life, and in the Martirologio benedettino he is venerated as blessed.