Fortunatus of Spoleto

Fortunatus was a parish priest near Spoleto, in Umbria, between the fourth and fifth centuries. He is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church, whose Roman Martyrology commemorates him on 1 June. Our sources give no Orthodox act of canonization, so we call him here a saint of the undivided Church in the West.

Little historical detail about him survives. The Roman Martyrology shows him as a native of Montefalco, a hill town near Spoleto in Umbria. He served as a priest at nearby Torrita. It is believed that he earned what he needed by a farmer's labour, remaining for his fellow-⁠citizens a good example of diligence and of freedom from possessions. He was always against stinginess, which he considered one of the most dreadful and harmful vices. He became noted for his charity and love for the poor, although he was himself poor.

A legend says that one day, while ploughing a field, he dug out two coins which seemed worthless and meant to put them in his pocket. In the evening, meeting a poor man on the road, he decided to give him the coins. Then the light of the setting sun made the coins shine like pure gold. Fearing to fall into the temptation of avarice, Fortunatus quickly put the little treasure into the poor man's hands and went away.

After his death the parishioners planted the staff with which he used to lead his oxen to pasture. The staff, as though by enchantment, came alive, took root, put out branches and leaves, and grew until it became a great shady tree. Around it the early veneration of Saint Fortunatus began: in its shade the faithful could gather to remember the wonderful life of their good shepherd. Later a church was built in his honour at Torri, in Montefalco, in the province of Perugia, and there the monastery of San Fortunato stands to this day. The Roman Martyrology says that, poor himself, he provided by assiduous work for the needs of the poor and put his life at the service of his brothers.