Post #5922

In 1244 he established the Congregation later known as the Celestines under the rule of St. Benedict. He left the hermitage only when, in 1274, he went to the Second Council of Lyons to plead the cause of the monastic order he founded. On that occasion, following the wish of blessed Pope Gregory X, he celebrated Mass in front of the whole sacred assembly. Then, returning to his usual asceticism, as a lamp placed on the candlestick, not being able to remain hidden (since the Roman Church remained a long time without a shepherd), without his knowledge and although far away he was called to the chair of Peter, filling everyone with astonishment no less than with joy for the novelty. Raised to the sublimity of the pontificate on the 5th of July 1294, seeing that the multitude of business barely allowed him to give himself to his meditations, he voluntarily renounced his office and honor on the 13th of December 1294. Thus he resumed his old standard of life. He fell asleep in the Lord on May 19, 1296 in the fortress of Fumone (Frosinone), and his beautiful death was made even more glorious by the appearance of a luminous cross that was seen shining in the air, in front of the door of his home. Boniface VIII, his successor, mourned his death and started the canonical process of his canonization. Pietro Celestino became famous for many miracles both in life and after death; which legally examined, Clement V entered him in the number of Saints, on May 5, 1313. His relics are venerated in L'Aquila, in the church of Santa Maria di Collemaggio.