Confessor, the apostle of Italy, born Massa, Italy, 1380; died Aquila, Italy, 1444. In 1397 he completed a course in civiland canon law, whereupon he joined the Confraternity of Our Lady, connected with the hospital of Santa Maria della Scala, ministered to the plague-stricken, and distributed his fortune among the poor. He joined the Friars Minor at Siena, 1402, was ordained, 1404, and began his missionary career at Milan, 1417. The fame of his eloquence spread and he gained influence over the leading Italian cities. He is responsible for the popular devotion to the Holy Name. Emblem: chrism. Canonized, 1450. Relics in Franciscan church, Aquila. Feast, May 20,.