The Saint of the Day for April 19 is Blessed James Oldo.James Oldo lived a radical conversion that led him to become a Franciscan tertiary and then a priest.
He was born in 1364 into a rich family at Lodi, Italy. He married young, and he and his wife were both self-indulgent. One day, a travelling reproduction of the Holy Sepulchre came to town. As a joke, James lay down on it to compare his height to Christ's, and he had an instant conversion.
His mother and wife were first opposed to the change but they soon became tertiaries as well. The family turned their mansion into a chapel and they worked with the sick and with prisoners. When James’ wife died, he became a priest. His acts of penance were so severe that his bishop had to order him to eat at least three times a week. He was a celebrated preacher, who inspired many to enter the religious life. He also prophesied wars and his own death. He died at the age of 40 in 1404. When his body was moved seven years after his death, it was found incorrupt.
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