Feast day: May 19
When did St. Celestine V live: 1215 - 1296
Biography of St. Celestine V:
The original name of Celestine V was Peter. He was born in a poor family with 12 children and his father died early. When he was twenty years old, he became a hermit before founding a new order since many other hermits came to ask him for guidance. Peter was made Pope at the age of eighty-four years and accepted the name Celestine V. But because of his humility, people used to take advantage of him and he soon had to give up his position as leader of the church. Peter was put in a cell and died there in 1296.
Patronage: St. Celestine is patron saint of the city L'Aquila and of the bookbinders
Statues and wooden sculptures representing St. Celestine V - portrayal, imagery and emblem: St. Celestine V is shown as a Pope with papal cross, the papal crown, books at his feet, a cross around his neck and the papal gowns.