July 12: Saint John Gualbert
The Saint of Forgiveness
He found the strength to forgive his brother’s murderer, even though this act caused serious conflict within his family. His father, in particular, never accepted this position. It was precisely for this reason that John Gualbert decided to enter the Benedictine monastery of San Miniato in Florence.
Born probably between the late 10th and early 11th century near Florence, once he entered the monastery, John quickly encountered the corruption that existed even within its walls. He publicly denounced Abbot Oberto, who had obtained his position improperly—by purchasing it with the help of the bishop. But John soon realized he could do nothing alone. Longing to return to the original spirit of the Gospel and live it with integrity, he decided to leave everything behind and live as a hermit, following the Rule of Saint Benedict in its truest form.
He set out to explore various monastic experiences. He first traveled through Romagna, visiting several monasteries, and later spent some time at the hermitage of Camaldoli. However, he did not find there what he was seeking. He refused priestly ordination, which had been offered to him by the prior of Camaldoli. John explained his refusal by saying that his spiritual fervor was directed toward communal life, as outlined in the Rule of Saint Benedict.
It was this deep conviction in the cenobitic ideal that led him to leave Camaldoli and, with the support of the prior himself, to found a new monastic institute based on communal living and the Benedictine rule.
John was soon joined by two other hermits, Paul and Guntelmo, from the Monastery of Settimo, near Florence. The three settled in a mountainous area rich in forests and pure water, known at the time as Aquabella or Cerretaia, between Florence and the Casentino region. There, they founded a new monastic community based on the Benedictine rule and far removed from corruption.
Thus was born the Abbey of Vallombrosa, which became an important center of spirituality. The community grew, thanks also to the arrival of laypeople from Florence who were drawn to this way of life.
Although he was initially reluctant, John agreed to become abbot and founded the Order of the Vallombrosians.
His mission was to return to the purity of the teachings of the Apostles, the Church Fathers, Saint Basil, and Saint Benedict, with a strong emphasis on poverty and manual labor. John personally and passionately worked to reform monasteries, striving to restore them to a more authentic lifestyle faithful to the Gospel.
John Gualbert died on July 12, 1073, in Passignano, near Florence. He was canonized in 1193 by Pope Celestine III.
Because of his deep connection with nature, Pope Pius XII declared Saint John Gualbert the Patron Saint of Italian forest rangers in 1951.