Saint Rainerius of Pisa

Rainerius, in Italian Ranieri, was born around 1118 in Pisa, the son of a wealthy merchant. As a young man he loved music and amusement, but a holy hermit named Alberto led him to conversion. Around 1140 he traveled to the Holy Land on business, then gave away his possessions, put on a pilgrim's tunic and spent years there in penance, prayer and fasting, visiting the places of Christ's life.

In 1154 he returned to Pisa and lived at the monastery of San Vito as a lay penitent. He preached repentance, and many sick people who came to him were healed when he blessed water and gave it to them, so the people called him Ranieri of the water. He died on June 17, 1160, and was buried in Pisa Cathedral, where his body rests in a chapel.

On the night of June 16, the Luminara of San Ranieri lights the palaces along the Arno River in Pisa with some 70,000 small candles, reflected in the water. On his feast, June 17, the four city districts compete in the Palio di San Ranieri, a historic rowing race.

Pisans who bear his name celebrate their name day today.