Meet Saint Homobonus, a 12th-century cloth merchant from Cremona, Italy, whose life changed the way we think about business and holiness.
Born into a prosperous merchant family, Homobonus (whose name, from the Latin homo bonus, means “good man”) combined sharp business acumen with a deep devotion to God. Yet, his legacy wasn’t built solely on financial success—it was his radical generosity, scrupulous honesty and unwavering faith that made him a saint!
Homobonus inherited his family’s thriving textile business and expanded it with diligence and fairness. However, he understood his trade as more than a means of personal gain; it was a divine calling to serve others. Success for him was not about wealth but about using it to glorify God and serve the poor. He poured his profits into providing for the needy, offering food and shelter in his home, and mediating disputes among the warring factions in his city. Known for his extraordinary witness, he earned the title “Father of the Poor,” making his home a haven of welcome and compassion.
Despite facing skepticism from his wife and competition in the marketplace, Homobonus persevered. His daily attendance at Mass, extended hours of prayer before the Crucifix and acts of mercy reflected his belief that business and faith were inseparable. St. John Paul II would later describe him as “an artisan and apostle of charity,” embodying the seamless blend of prayer and action.
On November 13, 1197, while attending Mass, Homobonus passed away during the Gloria, kneeling in prayer with his arms outstretched like Christ on the Cross.
Less than two years later, Pope Innocent III canonized him, calling him “a man good in name and deed” and praising his life as a model for laypeople striving for holiness in their everyday work. Remarkably, he remains the only non-noble layperson canonized during the Middle Ages, a testament to his sanctity in the ordinary.
Saint Homobonus reminds us that business, when guided by virtue, can be a powerful force for God’s kingdom. His life is a powerful witness that holiness is achievable in the workplace, in service to others and in daily commitment to God. Entrepreneurs and businesspeople, take note: your work can be a path to sainthood!
Saint Homobonus, pray for us!
Photo credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia 1, 2
