OMBONO, Saint. - Lived in the second half of the 12th century, died on 13 Nov. 1197. A merchant by profession in Cremona, he was a man of much prayer and great charity, especially toward the poor whom he also supported in his own home; he also worked to bring peace to the city.
At his death, which occurred while he was attending Holy Mass, many miracles followed, through which the bishop of Cremona, Sicard, obtained his canonization from Innocent III more than a year after his death. The bull *Quia pietas* of 12 Jan. 1199, in which the Pope proclaimed him a saint, is noteworthy for its description of the process followed in the canonization. Devotion to the Saint spread also to France, Germany, and many cities of Italy; he is invoked as the patron of merchants and often also of tailors. Feast on 13 Nov.