PIETRO GEREMIA of Palermo, Blessed. — Dominican orator and reformer, born in Palermo to the noble Geremia (or De Jeremias) family on 10 August 1381, died there on 3 March 1452.
After completing legal studies in Bologna, despite his father’s opposition he entered the Dominican Order and devoted himself to deepening his theological learning. He
Pietro Nolasco, saint — Painting by Murillo — Seville, Provincial Museum.
was a noted preacher and a zealous reformer of monastic discipline. His correspondence, especially the letters that first spread news in Italy of Columbus’s voyages, is of exceptional value. Also noteworthy is his Legatio Babylonica, i.e., the report of his mission to Egypt. A distinguished humanist, meticulous historian, and Christian-minded statesman, P. M. stands among the noblest figures of the Spanish court milieu in the 16th century.