Born in Bergamo, Italy early in the 14th century, Venturino grew up with a deep faith and made the decision to become a priest, taking the habit of the Dominicans in 1319. 

He had an incredible gift for preaching and, before long, was drawing huge crowds everywhere he spoke, all across northern Italy. 

In February of 1335, Venturino took a huge pilgrimage, of 30 thousand people, to Rome. 

Pope Benedict XII, at the time-based in Avignon, France, thought that Venturino intended to make himself Pope, and ordered him to stop the pilgrimage. 

A similar order was issued by the Dominicans. 

However, the news of these orders did not reach Venturino in time. He arrived in Rome, spoke at several Churches where he was well received, and then, suddenly, left, leaving the pilgrimage behind. 

When Venturino sought an audience with the Pope a few months later he was arrested and placed in prison, where he stayed for eight years. 

The next Pope, Clement VI, restored Venturino, and in 1344, asked him to preach a Crusade against the Turks, which he did with great success. 

He died just two years later.

St. Venturino, please pray for us.