17 April: Blessed Baptist Spagnoli

April 17
BLESSED BAPTIST SPAGNOLI
Priest

Optional Memorial

Born in Mantua on April 17th, 1447, as a youth, Baptist joined the Carmelites of the Congregation of Mantua at Ferrara. He made his religious profession in 1464 and served in many positions of responsibility in the community; he was vicar general of his congregation six times, and in 1513 was elected prior general of the whole Order. In his own time, he was a renowned humanist ‘who brought his richly varied poetry into the service of Christ.” He used his friendships with scholars as an opportunity of encouraging them to live a Christian life. He died in Mantua on March 20th, 1516.

From the Common of Holy Men (Religious)

Office of Readings

The Second Reading

From the treatise of Blessed Baptist Spagnoli “On Patience”

We draw hope from the consolation of scripture

You will find that the reading of sacred scripture is a great and powerful remedy against bodily suffering and depression of mind. In my opinion, there is no other writing, no matter how eloquent and stylish it may be, that can bring such peace to our minds and so thoroughly dissolve our cares as sacred scripture can.

I speak from personal experience: for there have been times when I was beset with anxieties, the worst of which came from the experience of my own weakness, and if on such occasions I sought relief in the scriptures, the hopes, and desires that led me there were never disappointed. The word of scripture proved to be a solid bulwark against my anxieties and a relief to my troubled spirit.

I have often wondered why the scriptures have this persuasive power, why they have such a powerful effect of those who listen to them, and why they lead us to the commitment of faith and not to the mere forming of opinion. This response of faith does not happen because of a reasoning process, because scripture does not offer one; and it is not a matter of literary style or artistic merit, because scripture does not use these devices; nor does it use soft words to persuade us.

The real reason that scripture has this persuasive power is that it comes from First Truth. Surely there can be no other explanation for such conviction. It seems as though scripture has an inherent authority that compels us to believe. But on what base does this authority rest? None of us has seen God preaching, writing, teaching — and yet we believe as though we had seen, and realize that what we read comes from the Holy Spirit. One reason for believing may well be that the truth contained in scripture is very solid truth, even though it is not as clear as we might wish. All truth has an inherent power to win our acceptance: the greater the truth, the greater its power.

So why is it, then, that not all believe the good news? My reply is that not all are drawn by God. However, there is no point in arguing further. We believe in sacred scripture to the degree that we accept in our hearts God’s divine inspiration.

Responsory

R/. Your decrees give me joy, * a joy beyond all wealth (alleluia).
V/. In Your statutes I find delight; I will not forget Your word, * a joy beyond all wealth (alleluia).

Canticle of Zechariah

Ant. The mouth of a virtuous man is a fountain of life: his lips enlighten many (alleluia).

Prayer

Lord God,
You made Our Lady’s faithful servant,
Blessed Baptist Spagnoli,
a preacher of Your Gospel by word and example.
Through His prayers
may we ponder Your word in Mary’s company
and praise You with her by the way we live.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

Canticle of Mary

Ant. Your statutes have been my songs in the place of my exile; they are the delight of my heart (alleluia).

Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.

Featured image: This portrait of Blessed Baptist Spagnoli is attributed to Antonio Maria Crespi. The oil on canvas painting dates to the period 1613–1621 and forms part of the art collection at the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan. Image credit: Pinacoteca Ambrosiana (Public domain)

Adnkronos - ultimoratop: Consegnate da Metro Italia le targhe ufficiali della Guida Michelin 2026 ai ristoranti lombardi

(Adnkronos) - Tra le strutture premiate per il 2026, 52 hanno ottenuto una Stella, 6 due Stelle e 3 tre Stelle: “Enrico Bartolini al Mudec” di Milano, “Dal Pescatore” di Canneto sull’Oglio (Mantova) e i padroni di casa del ristorante “Da Vittorio”

Delivered by Metro Italia are the official Michelin Guide 2026 plates to Lombardian restaurants.

(Adnkronos) - Among the establishments awarded for 2026, 52 received a One Star, 6 received Two Stars, and 3 received Three Stars: “Enrico Bartolini at Mudec” in Milan, “Dal Pescatore” in Canneto sull’Oglio (Mantua), and the hosts at the restaurant “Da Vittorio”.

#MetroItalia #MichelinGuide #Lombardian #EnricoBartolini #Mudec #Milan #DalPescatore #Cannetosull’Oglio #Mantua

https://www.adnkronos.com/economia/consegnate-da-metro-italia-le-targhe-ufficiali-della-guida-michelin-2026-ai-ristoranti-lombardi_28AwCLZ4RuI6Rl1om4cUf8

Il Tempo: Comunicato Stampa: Aggressione troupe Report

“È un episodio grave, che non può essere sottovalutato”. Lo dichiara il Presidente del Consiglio regionale del Veneto, Luca Zaia, commentando l'aggressione avvenuta in provincia di Mantova ai danni del videomaker trevigiano Giovanni De Faveri e della giornalista Giulia Innocenzi durante un'inchiesta di Report.
“Parliamo di professionisti che stavano semplicemente svolgendo il loro lavoro, su suolo pubblico, documentando fatti di interesse generale. Essere colpiti in questo modo è inaccettabile e dice molto del clima che a volte si crea attorno a certe inchieste”, prosegue il Presidente Zaia.
“A Giovanni De Faveri e a Giulia Innocenzi va la mia solidarietà piena, personale e istituzionale. Esprimo vicinanza anche alla redazione di Report e a Sigfrido Ranucci, che da anni portano avanti un lavoro di approfondimento che qualcuno può definire scomodo, ma che è necessario per il servizio pubblico e per un'informazione libera, che non può essere minacciata dalla violenza”, sottolinea il Presidente del Consiglio regionale del Veneto.
“Un fatto come questo, avvenuto fuori dai confini regionali ma che coinvolge direttamente un professionista veneto, non può lasciare indifferenti. È importante che venga accertata con precisione la dinamica e che episodi simili non si ripetano”, conclude Zaia.
La responsabilità editoriale e i contenuti di cui al presente comunicato stampa sono a cura di CONSIGLIO REGIONALE VENETO

Press Release: Attack on Crew Report

“This is a serious incident that cannot be underestimated.” Declares the President of the Regional Council of Veneto, Luca Zaia, commenting on the attack that occurred in the province of Mantua against the Treviso videographer Giovanni De Faveri and journalist Giulia Innocenzi during a Report investigation.

“We are talking about professionals who were simply doing their job, on public land, documenting matters of public interest. Being hit in this way is unacceptable and says a lot about the climate that sometimes develops around certain investigations,” continues President Zaia.

“I offer my full, personal, and institutional solidarity to Giovanni De Faveri and Giulia Innocenzi. I also express my closeness to the Report editorial staff and Sigfrido Ranucci, who for years have been carrying out a work of in-depth investigation that some may consider inconvenient, but which is necessary for the public service and for a free information that cannot be threatened by violence,” emphasizes the President of the Regional Council of Veneto.

“A fact like this, which occurred outside regional borders but directly involves a Venetian professional, cannot be ignored. It is important that the dynamics are precisely ascertained and that similar episodes do not repeat themselves,” concludes Zaia.

The editorial responsibility and the content of this press release are the work of CONSIGLIO REGIONALE VENETO.

#LucaZaia #Mantua #Treviso #GiovanniDeFaveri #GiuliaInnocenzi #Report #SigfridoRanucci #Venetian

https://www.iltempo.it/press-release/2026/03/20/news/comunicato-stampa-aggressione-troupe-report-46901750/

Corriere.it - Homepage: Referendum, oggi il confronto Mantovano-Grosso: la diretta sul sito del Corriere

Referendum, today the Mantua-Grosseto confrontation: live on the Corriere website.

#Mantua-Grosseto #Corriere

http://roma.corriere.it/notizie/politica/26_marzo_19/referendum-confronto-mantovano-grosso-a9468074-f25d-45bf-b444-91fa72cb2xlk.shtml

Repubblica.it: La destra si prende la Scuola di magistratura, alla guida Paladini vicino a Mantovano. Fuori Sciarra

La struttura, che si occupa di formazione e aggiornamento professionale, per la prima volta non è più affidata a un ex presidente della Corte Costituzionale, ma passa a un professore di diritto privato a Milano Bicocca

The right wing takes the School of Magistrates, with Paladini at the helm near Mantua. Out of Sciarra.

The structure, which deals with professional training and updating, is no longer entrusted to a former Constitutional Court president, but passes to a professor of private law in Milan Bicocca.

#Paladini #Mantua #ConstitutionalCourt #Milan

https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2026/03/18/news/scuola_superiore_magistratura_guida_mauro_paladini_mantovano_sciarra-425229829/

La Stampa - News, inchieste e approfondimenti La Stampa: Crosetto sotto assedio, il nodo dell’alert a Mantovano e l’ira di Meloni all’oscuro

Non si placano le polemiche per il viaggio del ministro a Dubai. Il sottosegretario sarebbe stato informato della partenza

Crosetti under siege, the knot of the alert is in Mantua, and Meloni is furious and in the dark.

The controversy over the minister's trip to Dubai continues. The undersecretary was informed of the departure.

#Crosetti #Mantua #Meloni #Dubai

https://www.lastampa.it/politica/2026/03/04/news/crosetto_sotto_assedio_il_nodo_dell_alert_a_mantovano_e_l_ira_di_meloni_all_oscuro-15530648/

Las 20 recomendaciones viajeras de los corresponsales de EL PAÍS para 2026

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://elpais.com/elviajero/2025-12-20/las-20-recomendaciones-viajeras-de-los-corresponsales-de-el-pais-para-2026.html

In Mantua eröffnet am 29. November die Sonnabend Collection – rund 100 Werke von Warhol, Lichtenstein und Rauschenberg im Palazzo della Ragione. Die Sammlung der legendären Galeristin Ileana Sonnabend, geschätzt auf 270 Millionen Dollar, kommt für zunächst sechs Jahre als Dauerleihgabe aus New York.

#PopArt #Mantua #Sonnabend #Warhol #Lichtenstein
https://www.kunst-mag.de/2025/11/27/sonnabend-collection-eroeffnet-in-mantua/