Saint Fortunatus of Spoleto | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Confessor and Priest | |
| Born | Montefalco, Umbria, (in present day Italy). |
| Died | ~400 AD |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Major shrine | Convent of San Fortunato |
| Feast | June 1 |
| Patronage | Montefalco |
Saint Fortunatus of Spoleto (died c. AD 400) was a parish priest near Spoleto in Umbria sometime between the 4th and 5th centuries. He is venerated as a saint within the Catholic Church.[1]
Little historical detail regarding Fortunatus survives, but he may have been a native of Montefalco, a hill town near Spoleto in Umbria.[2] He became noted after his death for his charity and love for the poor.[1][3] A legend told of him states that one day, while plowing a field, Fortunatus found two coins of apparently little value. He placed them in his pocket. That evening, upon meeting a poor man upon the road, Fortunatus decided to give the man the two coins. The sunlight suddenly illuminated the two coins, making them shine like gold. Not wishing to be tempted by avarice, Fortunatus quickly gave the small treasure to the poor man and hurried away.[2]
After his death, Fortunatus became the focus of a local cult, and the Convent of San Fortunato near Montefalco was dedicated to him.[2]