Homobonus
Blagdan: November 13
12th-century tailor and merchant canonized for combining business integrity with radical charity.
Zaštitništvo
Tailors, clothiers, shirtmakers, businessmen, merchants, business people, the poor and needy
Vrline i osobine
Životopis
Homobonus of Cremona was a 12th-century Italian merchant and tailor of the Lucca family who lived an extraordinarily holy life while engaged in commercial business. Born in Cremona around 1050, he became renowned for conducting his tailoring business with exceptional honesty and integrity, never cheating customers or employees. Homobonus was celebrated for his radical generosity to the poor, often giving away his profits and sometimes his own clothing to those in need. He maintained a strict personal asceticism while helping others flourish materially and spiritually. His wife, Beatrice, supported his charitable endeavors, and together they became known for their devotion and good works. Homobonus was particularly active in establishing confraternities dedicated to serving the poor. He died on November 13, 1176, and was canonized relatively quickly by Pope Alexander III in 1198, becoming one of the few laypeople recognized for sanctity during the medieval period. He demonstrates that holiness is achievable through secular work conducted with integrity, charity, and spiritual dedication.