BEATA GENTILE GIUSTI ORIOLI (1471-1520)
She was born in 1471 and died at 59 on January the 25th 1520.
She was daughter of Tommaso Giusti from Verona and Domenica Orioli from Russi, and historians consider her to be Russi's native, although her family, who used to live in Russi's territory, move to Ravenna in 1471, a month before her birth.
She met Margherita Molli when she was really young. Getting married and becoming mother of two children didn't stop her from becoming a follower of Margherita Molli, but her husband couldn't bear that his wife was giving herself to God so he accused her to be a witch and then he left home, but after a while he came back home converted. Gentile carried on Margherita's mission after her death, dedicating herself to "Compagnia del Buon Gesù".
The Blessed Margherita Molli, together with the Saints Borromeo and Simone Stock and the Blessed Gentile Giusti-Orioli, is portrayed on a Barbara Longhi's canvas painted in 1618, which used to belong to the church "Chiesa del Carmine" in Russi, and it's now displayed in the parish centre (via Trieste, 35).
Info: Culture Office
- Russi - 48026 (RA)
Tel: 0544 587641
Fax: 0544 582237
E-mail: cultura@comune.russi.ra.it
Last update: 03/02/2013 (Redazione di Russi)
