Luchesius Modestini
| Blessed Luchesius of Poggibonsi, T.O.S.F. | |
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| The first Franciscan tertiary | |
| Born | ca 1180 Gaggiano, March of Tuscany, Holy Roman Empire |
| Died | April 28, 1260 Poggibonsi, March of Tuscany, Holy Roman Empire |
| Venerated in |
Roman Catholic Church (Third Order of St. Francis) |
| Beatified | 1274 (cultus approved) by Pope Gregory X |
| Major shrine | Poggibonsi, Siena, Italy |
| Feast | April 28 |
Luchesius Modestini, T.O.S.F. (also Luchesio, Lucchese, Lucesio, Lucio, or Luchesius of Poggibonsi) (c. 1180 - 1260) is honored by tradition within the Franciscan Order as being, along with his wife, Buonadonna de' Segni, the first members of the Franciscan Order of Penance, most commonly referred to as the Third Order of St. Francis. His cultus was approved by the Holy See and he is honored as a Blessed by members of that Order.
Modestini was a native of the region of Poggibonsi, declared an imperial city in that period by Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, according to some accounts as having been born in the small village of Gaggiano, which lay on the major road between that city and Castellina in Chianti. He was born around 1180-1182, making him a contemporary of Francis of Assisi, who later helped to change his life. According to some accounts, as a young man he took up arms to serve in the Ghibelline army. Once stationed in Poggibonsi, which was experiencing a period of strong economic prosperity, he abandoned his military career and married a young woman of the city, Buona de' Segni--traditionally called Buonadonna. He then became a merchant, serving the large crowd of pilgrims who would travel along the road on which the city lay. His biographers state that, more than most merchants, he was so entirely and solely concerned with material success that he was generally reputed to be an avaricious man. His wife was said to be of a similar disposition.
At some point Modestini had a moment of conversion and realized how foolish it is to strive only for worldly goods. He began to practice works of mercy and to perform his religious obligations with fidelity. After Luchesius had put on the gray tunic or religious habit of a penitent, he rapidly advanced in holiness. He practiced ascetic austerities: often fasting on bread and water and sleeping on the hard floor; at his work he bore God constantly in his heart.
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