Saint Folco Scotti

Folco Scotti was born in Piacenza in 1164. His family had Irish origins: *Scoti* was the name given in Italy to the Irish who came with the monks of Columbanus. At twenty he joined the canons regular of Sant’Eufemia and went to study theology in Paris. He came back, became prior of Sant’Eufemia, then canon and archpriest of the cathedral of Piacenza. In 1210 he was named bishop of his city, but he couldn’t even be consecrated: the political situation — the Commune against the bishop, Guelphs against Ghibellines — made the see ungovernable. Six years later Honorius III transferred him to Pavia, where he stayed until his death. In Pavia he did what he hadn’t been able to do in Piacenza. He set up soup kitchens for the poor and free schools for boys, reformed the monasteries, defended the rights of the Church against the civil power, and acted as peacemaker between the city’s factions — very dangerous work in those years, and the only kind that could truly change people’s lives. He died in Pavia on December 16, 1229. His memorial is celebrated on October 26. If your name is Folco, today is your name day.