JAMES OF BEVAGNA, BL.

Dominican preacher, founder, miracle worker also known as Giacomo (James) Bianconi of Mevania; b. Bevagna (Mevania), Umbria, Italy, March 7, 1220; d. Bevagna, Aug. 22, 1301. At 16, moved by the Lenten preaching of two dominicans, he joined the order at Spoleto. He studied philosophy and theology and was ordained at Perugia. When assigned to preaching, he worked against Nicolaitanism (the defense of a married clergy); he confronted the heresiarch Ortinelli and succeeded in banning the heresy from Umbria. He founded the Dominican priory of St. George in his native Bevagna and directed the establishment of a convent of Benedictine nuns. Noteworthy in his life was the reputed vision accorded him while praying before a crucifix. Fearing the loss of his soul, he was comforted when he was bathed in the blood that spurted from the side of Christ. Warned by a vision on August 15, 1301, he prepared himself for death, which occurred eight days later. His intact remains are at Bevagna. boniface ix sanctioned his cult on Jan. 7, 1400. pius v began a formal process that continued under paul v. In a bull of April 13, 1610, James is referred to as a saint. clement x authorized his feast on March 6, 1674.

Feast: Aug. 23.

Bibliography: i. taurisano, Catalogus hagiographicus ordinis praedicatorum (Rome 1918) 23. Année Dominicaine 23 v. (Lyons 1883–1909) August 2:779. Acta Sanctorum August 4:719–737. a. butler, The Lives of the Saints, ed. h. thurston and d. attwater, 4 v. (New York 1956) 3:390–391.

[b. cavanaugh]