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John was born in the late tenth century to a noble family in Florence. He was a worldly young man, who above all things desired revenge on the murderer of his brother. On one Good Friday, John encountered the man on a narrow road, and drew his sword to exact vengeance. But when the unarmed murderer begged for mercy in the name of Christ and His Passion, John was struck with remorse, spared and forgave the man, and went to pray in the nearest church. There John witnessed the Sacred Head of Christ on the crucifix bend lovingly towards him, and the young man immediately resolved to enter the nearby Benedictine monastery, with the eventual blessing of his father. After many years John refused the position of abbot and instead left to seek greater solitude. At Vallombrosa, he began a small and deeply austere Benedictine community. The Pope eventually approved the new Vallombrosan Order, which was the first to officially accept lay brothers. By the time of his death in the year of Our Lord 1073, John had founded several more monasteries. He is hailed as a patron of parks and foresters.
IN the monastery of Passignano, near Florence, the abbot St. John Gualbert, founder of the Vallumbrosan Order.
At Milan, the holy martyrs Nabor and Felix, who suffered in the persecution of Maximian.
In Cyprus, St. Jason, one of the first disciples of Christ.
At Aquileia, the birthday of St. Hermagoras, disciple of the blessed evangelist Mark, and first bishop of that city. Whilst occupied in performing miraculous cures, in preaching frequently and bringing souls to repentance, he suffered many kinds of torments, and finally by capital punishment, merited an immortal triumph with his deacon Fortunatus.
At Lucca, in Tuscany, blessed Paulinus, who was consecrated first bishop of that city by St. Peter. Under Nero, after many combats, he terminated his martyrdom with some companions, at the foot of Mount Pisa.
The same day, the Saints Proclus and Hilarion, who won the palm of martyrdom after most bitter torments, in the time of the emperor Trajan and the governor Maximus.
At Lentini, St. Epiphana, who, after having her breasts cut off, died in the time of the emperor Diocletian and the governor Tertillus.
At Toledo, St. Marciana, virgin and martyr. For the faith of Christ, she was exposed to the beasts, torn to pieces by a bull, and was thus crowned with martyrdom.
At Lyons, St. Viventiolus, bishop.
At Bologna, St. Paternian, bishop.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.