Throughout his whole life, he would never make a business decision that would endanger his soul. He would have rather lost his entire fortune than betray the Gospel.

Homobonus was born in the 12th century to a wealthy merchant family in Cremona, Lombardy, Italy. He was given his name at Baptism which translates to “good man” in Latin. His father trained him in the mercantile business without any school education, inspiring him with probity, integrity, religion, and virtue.

From his infancy, he abhorred even the smallest sense of untruth or injustice, and always had the fear of God.

He used his father’s trading business to give money to the poor and developed and expanded it to work with and in other cities which brought in more riches to Cremona than any time before. He was revered in the city, often solving disputes between people in and out of the Church.

He looked upon his business and employment as a gift from God, and he pursued it with diligence and obedience to the divine law. If his business was not well kept, in order, conducted properly, or neglected his duties then he did not consider himself Christian.

At the direction of his parents, he took a virtuous wife, who governed their household.

Not content with giving his tenths to the distressed members of Christ, after the death of his father, of whom he inherited a considerable stock in trade, he seemed to set no bounds to his alms. He sought the poor in their cottages, and while cheerfully relieving them, he tenderly exhorted them to repentance and a holy life.

His wife sometimes complained that by his excessive alms, he would soon reduce his family to begging, but he mildly answered her, that giving to the poor is putting out money for the best return interest at a hundred-fold, for payment that Christ Himself has given His bond.

At the end of a long day at work, he would stop at a nearby church and pray the Liturgy of the Hours with the monks. He also frequently prayed in the midst of his work, stopping what he was doing to give praise to the Creator.

He died of old age while attending mass on November 13, 1197, while staring at the Crucifix.

He was canonized just a little over a year later on January 12, 1199 at the urgent request of the citizens of Cremona.

He is the patron saint of business people, tailors, shoemakers, clothworkers, and Cremona, Italy.

His feast day is November 13.

For God’s Glory.