Bl. James of Sclavonia

James was born around 1400 at Zadar in Dalmatia. As a young man he became a Franciscan lay brother at Bari in southern Italy, and he served as cook, gardener and alms collector in several friaries.

At Bitetto he sheltered Count Andrea Acquaviva, who was fleeing the King of Naples' assassins. He cared for the poor during the plague of 1483 and in many droughts.

He died between 1485 and 1490. His cult was approved in 1700.

Legend and tradition. His body was said to have been found incorrupt twenty years after his death. Local stories tell of a hunted hare that hid under his habit, and a staff he planted that grew into a tree.

James of Sclavonia was beatified in 1700.

Beatification allows public veneration, usually in a particular region or religious family. Canonization extends it to the whole Church.