Saint Homobonus

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Saint Homobonus

Layman
Born	12th century, Cremona
Died	November 13, 1197, Cremona
Canonized	January 12, 1199, by Pope Innocent III
Major shrine	Cremona; his head is preserved in the church of Saint Giles
Feast	November 13
Attributes	Bag of money; merchant’s robes
Patronage	Business people, tailors, shoemakers, clothworkers, Cremona

Saint Homobonus ((Italian) Sant'Omobono) ((German) Saint Gutman)) (d. November 13, 1197) was a merchant of Cremona. Born Omobono Tucenghi, he was a married layman who believed that God had allowed him to work in order that he would be able to support people that were living in a state of poverty. His name is derived from the Latin homo bonus ("good man").

Homobonus was able to pursue this calling in life easily as a result of the inheritance he received from his father, a prosperous tailor and merchant. He practiced his business at Cremona with scrupulous honesty. He also donated a large proportion of his profits to the relief of the poor.

Homobonus was a frequent church attendee that would partake in the Eucharist everyday. While attending mass, prostrated in the form of a cross, on November 13, 1197, Homobonus died. Two years later Homobonus was canonized by Pope Innocent III. During Homobonus's canonization Pope Innocent III said of him:

“

Homobonus was a "father of the poor", "consoler of the afflicted", "assiduous in constant prayer", "man of peace and peacemaker", "a man good in name and deed", "this saint, is still like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in our time."

”

He is the patron saint of business people, tailors, shoemakers, and clothworkers, as well as of Cremona itself. He was canonized in 1199 at the urgent request of the citizens of Cremona. His feast day is celebrated on November 13.

The church of Sant'Omobono in Rome is dedicated to him.

[edit] Homobonus in popular culture

In recent years, statuettes of Saint Homobonus are being sold as novelty items or executive toys in the United States. As the patron saint of business people, Homobonus has become a relevant figure in corporate culture. The accompanying tongue-in-cheek prayer card reads:

Prayer to Assist in Upward Mobility

Most holy St. Homobonus, I ask for your divine assistance in my corporate environment. Please encourage my superiors to reward me with a sizeable bonus and a meaningful promotion. And please protect me from downsizing, scandal, and undesirable relocation. Amen.