SIMEONE of POLIRONE, saint. - Hermit at S. Benedetto di Polirone (Mantova), born in Armenia, died at Polirone on 26 July 1016. He was canonized by Benedetto VIII (v. CANONIZZAZIONE, III, col. 577).
Having contracted marriage solely to please his father, he abandoned his family and wife, withdrawing into solitude near the monks of S. Basilio. He then began a long series of pilgrimages to visit holy places or sacred relics. Thus he went to Jerusalem, to Rome (983), to Pisa, Lucca, Piacenza, Vercelli, Torino, England, France, and elsewhere. During his wanderings, by his example, prayers, and miracles, he converted many sinners. No longer able to endure the hardships of long journeys, he finally returned to Italy, adopting the eremitical life among the monks of S. Benedetto di Polirone, where he died a holy death. Shortly before dying, however, he was at Parma to attend the translation of S. Felicola to the church of S. Paolo. Such is the Vita, which is not always reliable. Feast day: 26 July.