Luchesius Modestini facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blessed Luchesius of Poggibonsi, TOSF |
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| The first Franciscan tertiary | |
| Born | ca 1180 Gaggiano, March of Tuscany, Holy Roman Empire |
| Died | April 28, 1260 Poggibonsi, March of Tuscany, Holy Roman Empire |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 1274 (cultus approved) by Pope Gregory X |
| Major shrine | Poggibonsi, Siena, Italy |
| Feast | April 28 |
Luchesius Modestini (also known as Luchesio or Lucchese) was a very special person in the Roman Catholic Church. He lived a long time ago, from about 1180 to 1260. People remember him and his wife, Buonadonna de' Segni, as the very first members of a group called the Third Order of St. Francis. This group was for everyday people who wanted to live like Francis of Assisi but stay in their homes. Luchesius is honored as a "Blessed" person in the Church.
Contents
The Life of Luchesius Modestini
Early Life and Business
Luchesius Modestini was born around 1180 in a small village called Gaggiano. This village was near Poggibonsi, a busy city in what is now Italy. Poggibonsi was an important city back then, especially for trade.
When he was young, Luchesius might have been a soldier for a short time. Later, he settled in Poggibonsi. He married a woman named Buona de' Segni, often called Buonadonna. Luchesius became a merchant, selling things to the many travelers and pilgrims passing through the city.
At first, Luchesius and his wife were mostly interested in making money. People even said they were quite greedy. They focused only on getting rich.
A Change of Heart
One day, Luchesius realized that chasing only money was not the most important thing in life. He had a big change of heart. He started to help others and follow his religious beliefs more closely. He began to live a simple life, often eating only bread and water. He also slept on the hard floor.
His wife, Buonadonna, joined him in this new way of life. In those days, some married couples who wanted to be very religious would separate and join different religious groups. But Luchesius and Buonadonna chose to stay together. They showed that married couples could also live a very holy life together.
Since they had no children to support, Luchesius decided to stop his business. He was worried he might become greedy again. He and Buonadonna gave away almost everything they owned to the poor. They kept only a small piece of land. Luchesius worked this land himself, and any extra food they grew was given to people who were hungry.
Meeting Francis of Assisi
Around this time, Francis of Assisi came to Poggibonsi. Francis was a famous holy man who had started a new religious group. He preached about living a simple life and helping others. Many people in Poggibonsi wanted to follow his teachings.
Francis visited Luchesius, whom he knew from earlier business dealings. Francis was very happy to see how much Luchesius had changed. Luchesius and Buonadonna asked Francis for special advice. They wanted to know how they could live a life that pleased God, even while staying in the world.
Francis told them about his idea for a new group. This group would be for ordinary people who wanted to live by his teachings but not become monks or nuns. Luchesius and Buonadonna were very excited. They asked to join right away.
Because of this, Luchesius and Buonadonna are traditionally known as the very first members of the Franciscan Order of Penance. This group later became known as the Third Order of St. Francis.
The Third Order
If Luchesius and Buonadonna were truly the first members of the Third Order, they would have joined soon after Francis started his main group in 1209. At first, Francis gave them a simple set of rules to live by. Later, in 1221, a more formal set of rules was written down. Pope Honorius III approved these rules. That is why the year 1221 is often seen as the official start date for the Third Order of Saint Francis.
Stories of Luchesius's Kindness
Helping the Poor
People tell many stories about how generous Luchesius was to the poor. One day, he had given away so much that there was no bread left for his own family. When another poor person came asking for help, Luchesius asked his wife to look for something. Buonadonna was upset. She said he gave away too much and they would soon be hungry themselves.
But Luchesius gently asked her to check the pantry. He trusted that God, who had fed thousands with a few loaves of bread, would provide for them. And indeed, they found what they needed.
Luchesius always tried to help those in need. If he didn't have enough to give, he would ask others for help for the poor.
Carrying Jesus
One day, Luchesius found a sick man who couldn't walk. He carried the man on his shoulders to his home. A young man who saw this made fun of Luchesius. He asked, "What poor devil are you carrying on your back?"
Luchesius calmly replied, "I am carrying my Lord Jesus Christ." Right away, the young man's face changed. He cried out in fear and couldn't speak. He knelt down in front of Luchesius. Luchesius then made the Sign of the Cross, and the young man could speak again.
Death and Honor
When Luchesius became very sick, his wife, Buonadonna, prayed. She asked God to let them die together, just as they had lived their lives together. Luchesius also prayed for this.
Soon after, Buonadonna became sick with a fever. She died even before her husband, after receiving her last religious rites. Luchesius and Buonadonna both died on April 28, 1260.
Many people believe that miracles have happened at Luchesius's shrine. His shrine is in the Franciscan church in Poggibonsi. In 1274, Pope Gregory X officially approved that Luchesius should be honored as a "Blessed" person.
