Sperandia

Saint Sperandia
Sperandia in Lotto'sMadonna del Rosario,
Born	1216 Gubbio,Umbria,Italy
Died	September 11, 1276 Cingoli,Italy
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church
Majorshrine	Chiesa di Santa Sperandia, Cingoli
Feast	September 11
Patronage	Cingoli, Italy

Sperandia(orSperandea) (1216 – September 11, 1276) is venerated as asaintby theCatholic Church.

Life

Sperandia was born inGubbio.It is often said that she was a relative ofSaint Ubald,but there are no records to indicate that. She spent years as a hermit in a grotto in Monte Acuto.

After a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, she spent the next ten years visiting the holy places and shrines in Rome and throughout Italy. She then joined the smallBenedictineMonastery of Saint Michael inCingoli,where she was later electedabbess.One legend tells that she could provide delicious cherries to feed hungry laborers in the middle of January. The legend is recalled in a painting byPier Simone Fanelliin theChiesa di Santa Sperandiain Cingoli, which depicts an angel presenting the nun with a basket of cherries.

She died in 1276.

Veneration

Known for her prayers and penances, the people of Cingoli claimed her as the patron saint of the city. The Monastery of Saint Michael was later named after her; her remains lie in the adjoining church.

Sperandia is depicted inLorenzo Lotto'saltarpiecefor theChurch of San Domenicoin Cingoli, the 1539Madonna del Rosario.She stands between the kneeling Saint Esuperanzio andPeter of Verona,holding lilies and a crucifix.

There is an annual pilgrimage in August toLe Grotte di Santa Sperandiaon Monte Acuto where Sperandia spent time as a hermit.

External links

• (in Italian)Santa Sperandia