In addition to Angelo Tancredi, the many inhabitants of the Sacred Valley who were fraternal friends of Saint Francis and among the first people to receive his message included Illuminato da Rieti, Filippo Longo, Giovanni Velita, Gedeone and Filippa Mareri.

He joined the group of the first twelve followers of St. Francis. Admired for his kindness, he was the first nobleman to join the Order. He remained near Francis’ side and was present when the Saint received the stigmata on Mount Verna. In St. Francis’ two final pain-filled years of life, Angelo Tancredi became his personal guardian. The brotherly love and friendship they shared was so intense that St. Francis wanted him and Friar Leo with him at the hour of his death. The profound bond between Angelo and St. Francis can be seen by their tombs: both men rest in the Basilica of Assisi not far from each other.

Illuminato was amongst the first disciples of Saint Francis and he accompanied the Saint in some of the most important moments of his life. He was with him during his journey to the Holy Land, sharing all the dangers encountered during that expedition. He was also with him on Mount Verna when he received the stigmata.

In this passage Thomas of Celano narrates Filippo’s prodigious capacity of interpreting the Sacred Scripture even though he was illiterate. Filippo was also among Francis’ first companions. The Saint named him first spiritual director of the Poor Clares at Saint Damian’s. He was discharged when he took over the direction of all the Poor Clare monasteries without approval. Later, Saint Francis entrusted him to go in mission in France.

Giovanni Velita
"...he was very dear to Saint Francis because, even though he was of noble birth and very respected in his region, he valued the nobility of spirit above all else…"
Thomas of Celano. Vita Prima, XXX, 84. Fonti Francescane. Editio Minor, Assisi, 1986

Saint Francis turned to Giovanni, Lord of the Castle of Greccio, for help in preparing the Crèche of Greccio, a sign of profound esteem and friendship. Giovanni arranged everything in the location where Saint Francis reproduced the Nativity. He provided the manger, the hay the ox and the ass.

Gedeone the Canon
Saint Francis’ presence in Rieti is also tied to Gedeone the Canon. The anonymous writer from Rieti tells us of the colourful miracle St. Francis performed on Gedeone. While the Saint was in Rieti, gravely ill, he was brought to Gedeone who was on death’s door. Although St. Francis knew that the Canon had lived a sinful life, he cured him but warned him not to sin again. The Canon did not listen to Francis and was buried alive when the roof of the house in which he had continued to break laws caved in. Gedeone was a well-known figure in Rieti during Saint Francis’ time and he is cited often in the archives dating from 1201 until 1236.

Blessed Filippa Mareri
A contemporary of Saint Francis’, Filippa was a cultured and noble woman who left everything to join the Poor Clares. She was one of the most venerated women from her native Cicolano, an inland area in the province of Rieti.
Local tradition narrates that the Mareri Barons were furious about their daughter’s conversion so she closed herself off in a secluded part of their castle to live a cloistered life. This decision set off a violent reaction within the family that was placated only by Saint Francis’ arrival at the castle and his greeting of, “May peace reign in this home”. Francis founded a monastery in Borgo San Pietro near Lake Salto, which is still venerated by the local inhabitants.