Bl. Bartolomeo Cerveri

Bl. Bartolomeo Cerveri, inquisitor and martyr

(1420-1466)

Bartolomeo Cerveri was born in 1420 in Savigliano, into the family of notary Giovannini. From an early age he was known in his piety. In 1432, he listened to the sermons of Franciscan St. Bernardine of Siena. In 1434, he studied for philosophy, theology and law in his hometown. A year later, he joined the Dominican priory in Saviglian. There he continued his philosophical and theological studies. He was ordained a priest in 1445. He later continued his education in Turin and culminated his studies with the degree of lector of sacred theology on May 8, 1452, where he was ordained a priest. He studied in Turin, where on May 8, 1452, he received the title of lector of St. Theology. He was a professor at the University of Turin only for a year, as he was elected Prior of the Savigliano Monastery. He was first Superior of this convent in 1453-1455, and later in 1457-1459. During his second term in office, he completed the construction of St. Dominic's church. In addition, he ordered the erection of St. Vincent Ferrerius’ chapel, who has just been canonized (1458).

In 1463, Bartolomeo was appointed inquisitor of Piedmont and Liguria. He showed particular zeal. In early April 1466, he learned that the Waldensians were actively propagandizing in the Cervere area. He decided to go to them with his two brothers and without an armed escort. On the evening of April 21, they were attacked by five Waldenses. Only Bartholomew was killed, as one of his companions managed to escape and the other was only wounded. An account has survived according to which he was supposed to have been aware of the imminent danger; going on this journey he was to say: "I'm going there as an inquisitor, and that's where I have to die." 

The body of the murdered Dominican was buried in Cervere, but on August 18, 1466, it was transferred to the Dominican church in Savigliano. He was immediately regarded as a martyr, and miracles were also said to have occurred on the occasion of his murder and the subsequent translation of his body. In 1802, after the dissolution of the Savigliano monastery, his relics were moved back to the parish church in Cervere, where they have remained to this day. From the beginning, the Dominican martyr received veneration in both places. He was already considered blessed in the Middle Ages. However, his veneration was not officially approved by Pope Pius IX until September 22, 1853. Originally, his memorial fell on April 21, the anniversary of his martyrdom; after a reform of the liturgical calendar, it was moved to February 3. 

In iconography, Bl. Bartolomeo is depicted with a sword splitting his head or with daggers or a spear thrust into his body, as well as with the palm of martyrdom (e.g. in the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan). In a ceramic decoration at the San Domingo Monastery, he is shown - like Conrad of Marburg - with a dagger or knife cutting his throat.

Bibliography:

  • Novellis C., Biografia di illustri saviglianesi, Torino 1840, pp. 45-47.
  • Bertoglio T., Vita e storia del beato Bartolomeo di Cervere, Fossano 1903.
  • Dompé F., I tempi e la vita del Beato Bartolomeo Cerveri, Cuneo 1953.