Bonfilius of Foligno was an Italian Benedictine monk and bishop who lived from approximately 1040 to 1115. Born in Osimo, he joined the monastery of Santa Maria di Storaco, where his deep knowledge of scripture led to his election as abbot. He later served as the Bishop of Foligno between 1072 and 1078. Driven by religious devotion, he eventually joined the First Crusade as a pilgrim, traveling to the Holy Land to live as a hermit before returning to Italy.
Life and service
After his time as abbot, Bonfilius supported the foundation of the Sassovivo abbey. Following his pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where he lived in solitude, he returned to Italy. Because the bishopric of Foligno had been filled by another, he spent his final years living as a hermit near Cingoli. He passed away there in September 1115.
Veneration and legacy
His life inspired Sylvester Gozzolini, the founder of the Sylvestrine Order, to write his first biography. Bonfilius is recognized as a saint in the Catholic tradition. His remains are located in the Cingoli Cathedral, and his feast is observed on 27 September in Osimo and on 28 January in Cingoli.