Born in Ascoli in 1234, Conrad of Ascoli was a Franciscan friar renowned for his missionary zeal in Africa and his theological scholarship in Paris. A close friend of Pope Nicholas IV, he lived a life of austerity marked by a deep devotion to the Passion and the Trinity. He died in 1289 in his hometown, where his cult was confirmed by Pius IV.
Guided reading
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BLESSED CONRAD OF ASCOLI, CONFESSOR (1289).
Youth and prophecy
Born in Ascoli in 1234, Conrad manifested prophetic gifts early on, notably by predicting the accession to the pontificate of his friend Jerome.
Conrad was from the March of Ancona; he was born in the city of Asc oli in Ascoli Episcopal see and place of the saint's martyrdom. 1234. He announced early on, by his happy dispositions, what his future holiness would be. He even appeared gifted from his childhood with the gift of prophecy; for he was in the habit of prostrating himself at the feet of a young man of his age and country, named Jerome, who, having since entered t he Francisca Franciscains Religious order welcomed by Engelbert in Cologne. ns, governed that Order as General and later became Pope under the name of Nicholas IV.
Mission in Africa
Having entered the Franciscan Order, he set out to evangelize Africa where he brought about numerous conversions before returning to Italy for health reasons.
God inspired in him, too, the desire to enter the Order of Saint Francis. When he had fulfilled his vows, his superiors sent him to Africa. There he performed miracles of conversion, and thousands of infidels owed their becoming Christians to him. He spent himself so much in this work of the salvation of souls that his health, soon exhausted, betrayed his zeal and no longer permitted him to continue his apostolic labors. He returned to Italy. The climate restored him a little, and after making a journey to France with the General of his Order, Father Jerome, he was able, in Rome, where he went, to work again for the sanctification of souls. His holiness powerfully aided his eloquence, and there too he worked wonders. Leaving Rome to obey the order of his superiors, he went to teach theology in Paris. He discharged this duty in such a way as to merit public acclaim; but he did not limit himself to teaching in the schools; he often announced the word of God to the people and assiduously visited the hospitals, in which he produced great fruits. His way of life was very austere, and his continual focus was to work toward attaining, through the practice of virtues, the perfection of Christianity. He had such a tender devotion to the suffering Jesus that he sometimes experienced the pains of His passion; and his faith in the mystery of the Trinity was so vivid that he used it to combat the devil and to heal illnesses. But his former General, having become Pope under the name of Nicholas IV, recalled him to his side; he was therefore returning to Rome when death overtook him in Ascoli in 1289. A tomb Ascoli Episcopal see and place of the saint's martyrdom. was raised for him through the care of the people, and God performed numerous miracles there. Piu s IV a Pie IV Pope who authorized the cult of Conrad. uthorized his cult.
Teaching and European Apostolate
He traveled to France and Rome, then taught theology in Paris while devoting himself to the poor and the sick.
God inspired in him, too, the desire to enter the Order of Saint Francis. When he had fulfilled his vows, his superiors sent him to Africa. There he performed miracles of conversion, and thousands of infidels owed their becoming Christians to him. He spent himself so much in this work of the salvation of souls that his health, soon exhausted, betrayed his zeal and no longer permitted him to continue his apostolic labors. He returned to Italy. The climate restored him a little, and after making a trip to France with the General of his Order, Father Jerome, he was able in Rome, where he went, to work again for the sanctification of souls. His holiness powerfully aided his eloquence, and there too he worked wonders. Leaving Rome to obey the order of his superiors, he went to teach theology in Paris. He discharged this duty in such a way as to merit public applause; but he did not limit himself to teaching in the schools; he often announced the word of God to the people and assiduously visited the hospitals, in which he produced great fruits. His way of life was very austere, and his continual attention was to work toward attaining, through the practice of virtues, the perfection of Christianity. He had such a tender devotion to the suffering Jesus that he sometimes experienced the pains of His passion; and his faith in the mystery of the Trinity was so vivid that he used it to combat the devil and to heal illnesses. But his former General, having become Pope under the name of Nicholas IV, recalled him to his side; he was therefore returning to Rome when death overtook him in Ascoli in 1289. A tomb was raised for him by the care of the people, and God worked numerous miracles there. Pius IV authorized his cult.
Death and Cult
Recalled to Rome by Pope Nicholas IV, he died in Ascoli in 1289. His cult was officially authorized by Pius IV.
God inspired in him, too, the desire to enter the Order of Saint Francis. When he had fulfilled his vows, his superiors sent him to Africa. There he performed miracles of conversion, and thousands of infidels owed their becoming Christians to him. He spent himself so much in this work of the salvation of souls that his health, soon exhausted, betrayed his zeal and no longer permitted him to continue his apostolic labors. He returned to Italy. The climate restored him a little, and after making a journey to France with the General of his Order, Father Jerome, he was able, in Rome, where he went, to work again for the sanctification of souls. His holiness powerfully aided his eloquence, and there too he worked wonders. Leaving Rome to obey the order of his superiors, he went to teach theology in Paris. He discharged this duty in such a way as to merit public applause; but he did not limit himself to teaching in the schools; he often announced the word of God to the people and assiduously visited the hospitals, in which he produced great fruits. His way of life was very austere, and his continual attention was to work toward attaining, through the practice of virtues, the perfection of Christianity. He had such a tender devotion to the suffering Jesus that he sometimes experienced the pains of His passion; and his faith in the mystery of the Trinity was so vivid that he used it to combat the devil and to heal illnesses. But his former General, having become Pope under the name of Nicholas IV, recalled him to his side; he was therefore returning to Rome when death overtook him in Ascoli in 1289. A tomb was raised for him by the care of the people, and God performed numerous miracles there. Pius IV authorized his cult.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Born in Ascoli in 1234
- Entered the Order of Saint Francis
- Mission in Africa and mass conversions
- Journey to France with Fr. Jerome
- Professor of theology in Paris
- Recalled to Rome by Pope Nicholas IV
- Died in Ascoli in 1289
Miracles
- Gift of prophecy from childhood
- Mass conversions in Africa
- Healings through faith in the mystery of the Trinity
- Partial stigmata (pains of the Passion)
- Posthumous miracles at his tomb