Giovanni Vincenzo

Saint Giovanni Vincenzo, also known as Giovanni da Besate, was born in Besate in Lombardy into a prominent Christian family. Before his episcopal ministry, he served the Church at the cathedral of Pavia, and for a time embraced the hidden life of a hermit, following the example of Saint Romuald of Ravenna. In 983 he was chosen to succeed Honestus as Archbishop of Ravenna, where he combined pastoral care with steadfast service to the wider Church. Soon after his election he traveled to Aachen and, on Christmas Day 983, joined Archbishop Willigis of Mainz in crowning the young Otto III—an extraordinary moment in which Giovanni represented Italy in the history of the Empire. In the years that followed, he worked amid complex ecclesial and political tensions, accompanying Pope Gregory V and receiving confirmations of Ravenna’s privileges. His final recorded activity dates to March 998, after which the see soon passed to another. Venerated for his faithful shepherding and humility rooted in prayer, he is honored as patron of Sant’Ambrogio di Torino. His feast day is November 21.