Crispin was born in Viterbo, between November 13, 1668 by Marco Fioretti and spouses Ubaldo Antoni. He was baptized on the 15th of that month under the name of Peter. Ubaldo will soon be released from the scene, leaving the orphaned son still at an early age and Marzia widow for the second time. To care for the child will take over his uncle Francis, who will allow him to attend primary schools at a profit with the Jesuits, and then welcome him as an apprentice shoemaker in his shop.
The pious mother, meanwhile, poured on the little Peter the purest and deepest care nursery. In a visit to the shrine of the Oak, pointing to the child the image of the Virgin, says, "See, that's your mother and your lady, love her and honor it in the future as your mother and your wife." The future of the Religious erect an altar anywhere and will always offer "the most beautiful flowers." Peter Fioretti would have decided to become a cappuccino at a penitential procession which was held in Viterbo petitioning for rain in times of severe drought. In the procession marched down exemplary even novices from the monastery of Palanzana. It was the last touch of grace for its final resolution. In fact, July 22, 1693, twenty-five, will make its entry in that convent to accomplish the novitiate year. Fate of Communities in various convents in Lazio (Tolfa, Rome, Albano, Monterotondo) and that of Orvieto, where he remained for about forty years, the humble and hard you exercise the offices of a nurse, cook, gardener and begging. His religious life will spend 57 years on the cutting totally consecrated to the service of God and neighbor. Incredible work he carried out in the fields of healthcare to bring peace, justice and serenity in the depths of consciousness. We pay tribute to the charisms which the Spirit grants if we say that between Crispin became so singular resonance evangelical on all fronts. No one escapes his attention to artists, businessmen, police officers (then called the cops), prisoners, orphans, the sick, farmers, mothers, consecrated souls. And this not only during the forty years of Orvieto, where the apostolate of the bread bag filled with opportunities to meet her next day. Although they belong to that period of his or her life the most exciting events of his social sensitivity.
Crispin has to his credit among other religious consecration 18 years spent in the kitchen closed, cloistered in the fence and the garden - the last two, with detachment - the infirmary to grips with their ailments preludenti at sunset. How he could pour out so much wisdom enlightening and inspiring even at this stage of the hidden life is not easy to understand. The discrete cultural education and youth drawn in the same congenial conviviality, then matured in a communicative flowery poetry and insightful aphorisms, not enough to explain the appeal of the humble cook Albano on personalities of the highest rank. It is true that many, especially the prelates, however, flowed in these beautiful places and recreational areas. But the fact remains that everyone, nobles and scholars, beginning with Pope Clement XI, loved to talk with him and sought his advice. And neither can humanly understand scandals that arose when the reconciliation of obedience to deliver Crispino between the gardener's hoe in more solitary convent of Monterotondo. Last but not least the hundreds of letters, simple and essential, Latrice on wider range of his unfailing love. A man so full of love, that true son of the Seraphic builds all of Assisi, fraternizing with all glory to God with the notes of the Canticle of the Creatures.
But perhaps reflect on what is more important if, after having seen everything from Crispin won the other, I give back for a moment to himself. He wanted to sanctify themselves first, implement minority living in what we today, with so much ingenuity in the methods, we call learning.
As a young man he attended school classic, but religion takes a master of his less fortunate brethren in the studies, lived about a century and a half earlier, the lifestyle so much like her, who was canonized by the Pope his friend is Happy Cantalice . Among Crispin will look for life the only six "letters" of which he was familiar with the firstborn of Capuchin Saints: the wounds of Christ and the Virgin Mary. Joy, courtesy and illuminated communicability become proverbial in him, suppose an exercise of penance and sacrifice incessant. Crucified to his vows, he shared the sacrifice until the singing of the ECE Community quam bonum. It must have been really great is his love that often ran in various monasteries to heal and comfort the sick brother at great risk to their health.
Despite all the testimony of reverence and affection, between Crispino there were dangers, humiliations, misunderstandings and crosses. And that was granted to him as a cleric. In fact, his consistent commitment to the realization of the Gospel not only put him in the spotlight, but also in permanent conflict with the reality around him.
Among Crispin did not admit any donations in his life sized, half-measures, compromises, reservations. He gave up the first hour to beat the road of mediocrity and is perfectly tuned with the radicalism of the Gospel. Just listen: "We love God with all my heart" "all we have to work for God's sake." Speaking to a brother's states: "If you want to save your soul, you have to serve the following things: love all, speak well of everyone and do well at all." The force took over difficulties repeating to himself: "This is so good that I expect that every pain is my pleasure," or find the quiet at the thought that "when a man does his part and knows all that can, in remainder must jump into the sea of the mercy of God. "
It was very demanding with himself, and therefore had the courage to ask much gospel to others and especially to his brother. He wanted the religious life was busy, austere, full of good works, leavened by a continuous dynamic and do penance.
Among Crispino was exemplary in fraternity life, especially through caring services, humble, creative and joyful to others. Throughout his life he distinguished himself in evangelical poverty. Restrained use of things, he was averse to any superfluity or refinement. In his office begging was able to unite the greatest love a lively sense of pure need. In the convent had only come to bless and thank Providence. Poverty, therefore, with the mystery of love and sharing. Understood the need and attractiveness of purity in an eminent way. For the protection of this virtue is made use of three media: a singular devotion to the Virgin Mary, prayer, penance. He became a model of obedience, as a source of deep joy and everlasting effective means to maintain personal peace and fraternal harmony.
Among Crispin the holy joy, the joy of the Christian is the result of listening and internalization of the Word of God, of peace and communion with our brothers. He passionately loved the Lord in the beating of daily living difficult. Eagerly sought the face of God, has polarized all his energy to reciprocate the love of God
For a good pastor, tormented by great spiritual anxiety, including Crispin advises that such an experienced teacher of spirit could not do better: "Let it go ... great spirit and manly gay (to perform duties often so delicate), not case of disturbance by Attorney ... ... be happy in the Lord and have fun in things brilliant, but good and holy, but when it is attacked by melancholy ... If our life is a continuous war, is a sign that we are destined for mercy of God to be the major principles in paradise. "
This is the last letter and the longest published. There is in it delicacy of stroke, psychological insight and spiritual security. It may be regarded as the testament and, together, one of the most expressive portraits of the spiritual physiognomy of between Crispin. Fell seriously ill during the winter 1747-48, 13 May left the convent in Orvieto for the time in Rome. When, two years later, the nurse warned him that death was near, said, assuring that he would not die May 18 for "do not disturb the feast of St. Felix." In fact he died the following day: May 19, 1750.
His mortal remains are exposed for the veneration of the faithful in a chapel of the Immaculate Conception Church in Via Vittorio Veneto, Rome.
On September 7, 1806 was proclaimed "Blessed" by Pope Pius VII.
Three circumstances make it particularly poignant as happy event of the canonization is this year celebrating the 8th centenary of the birth of St. Francis during the month that sees the Order of Friar Crispino congregated in one of its most important general chapters, is the first to be decreed by Pope John Paul II in four years of his papacy.
