June 20: Saint John of Matera, Abbot

A hermit and founder of a Benedictine Congregation

A central figure in the monasticism of southern Italy, founder of a Benedictine Congregation and an Abbey. This was John of Matera, born in Matera around 1070 into a wealthy and noble Christian family.

Tradition recounts that, wishing to follow God more closely, he left his family and, after exchanging his luxurious clothes for those of a beggar, went to Taranto. In search of a simple life, he tended the sheep of the Basilian monks on the Island of Saint Peter. However, because of his almost hermit-like austerity, he eventually left the monastery.

He then traveled through the regions of Calabria, Sicily, and Puglia in search of God. During a stay near the town of Ginosa, he came into conflict with a nobleman named Roberto, who wanted to imprison him, and he was forced to take refuge in Capua.

After some time, he traveled toward Bari and finally to the Gargano area, where in 1130 he founded the Abbey of Pulsano, near Monte Sant’Angelo, as well as the Congregation of the Pulsanese Hermits, also known as the “Discalced,” who followed the Rule of Saint Benedict in its strict observance. He died in Foggia on June 20, 1139. He was canonized by Pope Alexander III in 1177.