Saint Guido of Acqui (also Wido) (c. 1004 – 12 June 1070) was

Bishop of Acqui The Roman Catholic Diocese of Acqui ( la, Dioecesis Aquensis) straddles the (civil) regions of Piedmont and Liguria, in northwest Italy. The ancient Roman name of the place was ''Aquae Statiellae'', which was sometimes confused with ''Aquae Sentia ...

(now

Acqui Terme Acqui Terme (; pms, Àich ) is a city and ''comune'' in the province of Alessandria, Piedmont, northern Italy. It is about south-southwest of Alessandria. It is one of the principal winemaking communes of the Italian DOCG wine Brachetto d'A ...

) in north-west

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...

from 1034 until his death. He was born around 1004 to a noble family of the area of Acqui, the

Counts of Acquesana Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility.L. G. Pine, Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty'' ...

, in Melazzo where the family's wealth was concentrated. He completed his education, by now an orphan, in

Bologna Bologna (, , ; egl, label= Emilian, Bulåggna ; lat, Bononia) is the capital and largest city of the Emilia-Romagna region in Northern Italy. It is the seventh most populous city in Italy with about 400,000 inhabitants and 150 different nat ...

. Elected bishop of Acqui in March 1034, his career was marked by reform in the areas of liturgy, spirituality and morality. He was generous in donating his own money and possessions to the diocese, in part to remove the economic pressure which had led to widespread corruption, and in part to support new projects. The latter included the promotion of the education of young women and the foundation of the nunnery of Santa Maria De Campis. Under his government, too,

Acqui Cathedral Acqui Cathedral ( it, Duomo di Acqui, ''Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta'') is a Catholic cathedral in the city of Acqui Terme, in the province of Alessandria and the region of Piedmont, Italy. Dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, it ...

was erected, dedicated to the Madonna Assunta and consecrated on 13 November 1067. Guido died on 12 June 1070. His remains are preserved in the cathedral which he founded. His feast day is recorded in the ''

Martyrologium Romanum The ''Roman Martyrology'' ( la, Martyrologium Romanum) is the official martyrology of the Catholic Church. Its use is obligatory in matters regarding the Roman Rite liturgy, but dioceses, countries and religious institutes may add duly approv ...

'' as 12 June, the anniversary of his death. In Acqui, however, it is celebrated on the second Sunday of July.

References

San Guido (Wido) d'Acqui
Fabio Arduino, ''Sante e Beati'' People from Melazzo Medieval Italian saints Bishops of Acqui 11th-century Christian saints 11th-century Italian Roman Catholic bishops Year of birth uncertain 1070 deaths {{Italy-saint-stub