Saint James of the Marches

Born Domenico Gangale in Monteprandone, Italy, James (1393–1476) studied law at Perugia before joining the Franciscans at the Portiuncula in 1416. A disciple of Saint Bernardine of Siena, he preached for some fifty years throughout Italy, Germany, Bohemia, Hungary and the Balkans, spreading devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. Moved by the suffering of the poor at the hands of moneylenders, he helped found the Monti di Pietà, charitable pawn banks that lent at little or no interest. He died in Naples in 1476 and was canonized in 1726.

He is honored in his hometown of Monteprandone and in Naples, where he died. He is often painted holding a chalice, a sign of his love for the Eucharist.