John
Francis Carreri was born in Mantua, in the late fourteenth century. He
grew up a silent and prayerful child, a good student and a great reader.
These qualities seemed to recommend him to the Preaching Friars, and at
an early age, he presented himself at the convent in his home city and
received the habit.
Matthews’s
career as a preacher began soon after his ordination, when was sent to
Lombardy to preach against the heretics. He succeeded admirably in his
preaching and converted many to a spiritual way of life. Traveling from
convent to convent he preached a revival of fervor and a deeper
understanding of the spirit of St. Dominic, and many of the religious of
Lombardy-both Dominicans and members of other Orders- were led by him
to become more fervent.
At
on time, when he was preaching in Vigevano, a troupe of jugglers came
into town and set up their act. They were a particularly scandalous set
of people, poking ridicule at the religious and the pope. Matthew sent
them word to move on, which they ignored. So went after the with his
walking-stick, and this proved more effective. They scattered and ran
but soon came back , fortified with the presence of the Duke of Milan,
who scolded Matthew for being so narrow-minded and humorless. Matthew
patiently pointed out to him the bad spots in their humor, and, in spite
of the duke’s natural aversion to friars, convinced him that he should
keep the jugglers out of town.
At
Lucina, there was a lady of noble birth and great talents who was
wasting her time in frivolities. Never one to avoid an issue, Matthew
aimed a powerful sermon in her direction, and she came to him afterwards
in a torrent of tears and begged him to help her. He gave her the habit
of the Third Order and outlined a stiff rule of life, which she
afterwards faithfully followed. He also met and directed Blessed
Stephanie Quinzan who proved to be an apt pupil.
Matthew
was given the job of reforming the convents of the friars in Soncino,
and in nearby towns, and he worked for many years in Milan. Going up and
down the peninsula, he varied his approach but never his message:
penance and love of God. So many were the conversions effected that a
whole group of follow-up preachers had to be appointed to carry on, as
he moved rapidly from place to place. Preaching his way, went through
Tuscany, and took ship at Genoa.
The
ship was soon captured by a Turkish corsair. The Mohammed captain
called on the three Dominicans for an explanation of why they were
there. Matthew spoke up so fearlessly and eloquently that the captain
released all three of them. Just as they were being hustled off to a
rescue boat, the wail of one of the woman passengers stopped them. The
lady and her young daughter were not anxious to be taken to Algiers, and
Matthew began pleading for them. The captain told him he had better let
the affair alone and be satisfied that he has saved his own skin.
Matthew thereupon volunteered to go to Algiers, in chains, if the
captain would release the two women. Amazed at his courage as well as at
his brashness, the captain released all of them and told them to get
out of his ship quickly before he changed his mind.
Many
miracles are credited to Matthew Carreri. One day, a young father who
came to hear Matthew preach, had left his little son at home with the
nurse. the baby fell into the fire and was badly burned. The distracted
father brought the little one to Matthew, who cured him. the baby was
well in a few days, and grew up to be a Franciscan friar. Matthew cured
another man of hemorrhage, and worked many cures on the sick and
possessed.
One
day, , while meditating on the Passion, Matthew asked our Lord tp
partake of His sufferings. He received the stigmata, in the form of an
arrow that pierced his heart. For the remainder of his life, he suffered
great pain from his wound.
Matthew
Carreri died, in 1470, in a house composed entirely of religious he had
rescued from a life a laxity. His cult was confirmed twelve years after
his death, testifying to the great reputation for sanctity he enjoyed
among the people of northern Italy.
Born: 1420 at Mantua, Italy
Died: October 5, 1470 of natural causes
Beatified: 1483 (cultus confirmed); December 2, 1625 by Pope Urban VIII (beatification)
