Saint Who?
Saints Who Promoted Marian Devotion
Saint Crispin of Viterbo
Religious († 1750) Feast: May 19
When he was a little boy, Peter’s mother dedicated him specially to the Virgin Mary. “See, she is also your mother. I have made a gift of you to her. Always honor her as a good son would do.” Virtuous and bright, he hoped to attend school, but his family was too poor, so he cheerfully became an apprentice shoemaker instead.
Inspired by a procession of Capuchin Franciscans, Peter left his trade to the join the order. He became a lay brother and received the name Crispin. Assigned to the monastery kitchen, his first act was to set up a small Marian altar there, where he dedicated his daily labors to Mary’s service. As time went by, Crispin earned a reputation as a healer. Fruit placed on this altar, along with a prayer for Mary’s help, brought frequent healing to the sick. When a physician complimented Crispin on his effective medicines Crispin replied: “The Blessed Virgin can do more than all the physicians in the world.” He also insisted that “true veneration of the Blessed Virgin consists in not offending her divine Son in any way.”
With robust good cheer, Crispin obediently took multiple roles within the friary. “Paradise is not for lazybones,” he said. He died in 1750 and was canonized in 1982. The Capuchins observe his feast on May 21.
Heavenly Father, through the intercession of
Saint Cripsin, help us to honor Mary by turning away from the things that offend her Son.
