ALL SAINTS: ⛪ Blessed James Oldo

Blessed James Oldo was born around 1364—we don’t know the exact day—in Lodi, a lively town in northern Italy near the big city of Milan. His family, the Oldos, had money and a good name. His dad was probably a merchant who sold cloth or other goods, his hands busy with coins and deals, while his mom ran a house full of nice things—wooden tables, soft beds, and walls with colorful cloth hanging up. Lodi was a bustling place—its streets were full of people trading, carts rumbling, and bells ringing from churches like the big cathedral with its tall tower. The air smelled of bread from ovens, leather from shops, and the muddy river nearby. In the 1300s, Italy had lots of towns like Lodi, sometimes fighting over power, but people still worked hard and prayed to God.

James was a little boy with dark hair and a quick smile, growing up in a house that always had something going on. He wore good clothes—like a tunic with bright threads—and ate tasty food, maybe meat with sauce, bread, and fruit from the market. His mom and dad taught him about God early. At night, they’d sit by a warm fire with a cross on the wall, saying prayers in Italian. James’s small hands held a rosary—maybe one with shiny beads because his family could buy nice things—and he listened to stories about Jesus and saints who helped people. This tells us: God can call you even when life’s loud, and a kid can learn to love Him in a busy home.

The Oldo family had plenty—big meals every day, cozy blankets for cold nights, and money to get whatever they wanted. When he was six, around 1370, life seemed fun, but Lodi was a place where people argued a lot—big families wanted to be in charge, and that made things noisy. He liked the good stuff then, playing with toys or running around with friends—at 10, in 1374, he started learning, maybe with a teacher who showed him how to count money and write his name. At 12, in 1376, he got busy, helping his dad with little jobs in the market. Italy was changing—wars and sickness came, like the plague that hurt so many—at 15, in 1379, he started thinking, feeling like there was more to life than just having fun—Readers, look here: fancy things don’t always stay, and a boy can hear God in a crowded town.

Living Big, Then Falling Hard

James didn’t start out quiet. At 20, around 1384, he got married, picking a girl from Lodi who was pretty and kind. They had kids and built a busy life—James worked as a merchant like his dad, selling cloth or maybe wine, making lots of money. He loved parties, dancing, and wearing fancy clothes with gold threads. He lived big, buying a nice house, eating rich food, and laughing with friends—This says loud: you can enjoy life and still find God, but fun doesn’t last forever.

The 1380s rolled on—Italy had tough times with fights and sickness. At 25, in 1389, he was doing great, rich and happy with his family—then everything broke, around 1390, when he was about 26. The plague hit Lodi hard—his wife got sick and died, and his kids did too. James was left alone, his big house empty, his fancy clothes feeling silly. He hurt bad, crying and wondering why it happened—at 27, in 1391, he heard God calling him, sitting in his quiet house, feeling like all the money didn’t matter anymore—This tells us: hard days can wake you up, and losing stuff can bring you to God.

Turning to a Simple Life

James changed fast. At 28, in 1392, he gave up his rich ways, selling his big house and giving money to poor people. He didn’t want to be a merchant anymore—he wanted God instead. He joined the Franciscans, not as a full monk, but as a helper called a tertiary, living simple like Saint Francis. He wore a plain brown robe, sandals that got dirty, and slept on a hard mat in a little room. He stopped caring about stuff, letting go of parties and gold to pray and help—This says: you can start over for God, and giving up makes you free.

The 1390s were messy—Lodi and other towns fought over power, and people were scared of more sickness. At 30, in 1394, he learned to live plain, praying all day with the Franciscans, working with his hands—maybe fixing things or growing food. He ate simple stuff—bread, a little cheese, some soup. He didn’t whine, smiling even when he was hungry or cold—by 35, in 1399, he loved helping, going around Lodi to sit with sick folks or give bread to the poor—This tells us: simple living can make you glad, and helping keeps you close to God.

Being Good and Quiet

James kept going with his new life. At 40, in 1404, he got even better at helping, taking care of people who had nothing—widows, kids with no parents, sick folks in bed. He’d bring them water, fix their roofs, or just listen when they cried. He saw God in them, thinking every person was special—by 45, in 1409, he got quieter, praying alone in a little church or his room, talking to God and Mary. Sometimes he’d feel God so close he’d smile big or cry happy tears. He stayed small, not wanting people to fuss over him—Italy was loud—fights kept going, but James stayed peaceful—He prayed with a rosary, a worn-out one now, trusting God—This says: helping others brings you to God, and staying little keeps you holy.

The years passed—at 50, in 1414, he got tired, his body sore from working hard and not eating much. He didn’t stop—kept praying and helping. By 55, in 1419, people knew him in Lodi, not because he tried to be big, but because they saw how kind he was. They’d ask him to pray when they were sick or sad, and sometimes good things happened—like feeling better or finding hope. He said it was God, not him—at 60, in 1424, he got weaker, his legs shaky from years of giving—This tells us: giving all you have makes you special, and God works through plain people.

A Calm End

James’s life ended gentle—on April 18, 1424, at 60, he died, lying on a simple bed in Lodi, maybe in a Franciscan house or a little room he used. He went peaceful, his last words something like “Jesus” or “Mary”—they buried him in Lodi, in a church where he prayed a lot—he became Blessed later, his day is April 18—People cheered—they said, “He’s with God now!”—This shows: dying simple makes you big, and a quiet end helps others.

Helping People Today

James’s story lives on—Lodi remembers him, his resting place a spot where people pray—he helps folks who lose a lot, and anyone trying to live good and simple—Italy changed, towns grew, but his way stays—Today, he says: be kind and small, friends, let God lead you. This sings: one plain guy can shine forever, and being little beats being big.

A Friend for You Now

James’s life talks to us—he started rich and loud but picked a quiet life for God after losing everything. That shows hard times can turn you around, and you don’t need much to be happy. You don’t have to give up your house, but you can stop chasing stuff and love God more. He made simple holy, proving God loves you no matter what you’ve done—people saw his goodness fast, calling him Blessed after he died—he helps you keep going, great for anyone who wants to pray or help others—God can make a saint from a party guy who turned quiet, and He can make one from you too. Just give Him your heart—This says: God turns little into big, and you can be holy if you try.

How He Helps You

James’s story pulls you in—his fun days say look for God, stuff doesn’t last; his simple life says stay free, God’s right there. His helping says be tough—keep going when it’s hard, faith holds you up. His end says trust—die calm, God’s your prize. He left in a robe—live so you shine at the end, and rest with Him. Walk his way: help someone, pray when you’re down, let God lift you.

A Prayer to Blessed James Oldo

Dear Blessed James, friend who left a big life for God, you helped and prayed simple, your life a song in tough times. Show me how to let go, so I can follow with your good heart. Teach me to trust easy, stay strong when life’s hard, and feel peace when I’m sad. Help me drop my wants, my worries, and sit close to God, my heart ready for Him. Give me your love for helping, your brightness, so my days help Him shine. By your place in Lodi, listen to me, and with your holy words, let me live small, brave, and real, showing His light till I’m done. Amen.

SAINT OF THE DAY

Saints in April

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Apr 17, 2024

⛪ Blessed James Oldo