Isnardo da Chiampo

Isnardo da Chiampo, OP (d. 19 March 1244) was an Italian Catholic priest and professed member in the Order of Preachers.

He studied in Bologna (where Dominic of Osma himself received him into his order) and in Milan before preaching in northern Italian cities such as Brescia and Bergamo following his ordination. He settled in Pavia in 1231 where he founded a convent and would remain there preaching against heretics until his death over a decade later. It was often the case during his preaching that he would invoke the intercession of the Blessed Mother to protect the faithful. His reputation extended to France and canons from both Italian and French cities would ask him to preach in cities like Alessandria and Peschiera del Garda against the heretics; he also preached in Brescia where his friend was the bishop in addition to Bergamo and Sirmione. Isnardo also preached in Verona which was close to his hometown.

Isnardo died in his convent on 19 March 1244 knowing his end was growing closer over time; his remains lie in the Santi Gervasio e Protasio church in Pavia. Bishop Giuseppe Bertieri entrusted Isnardo's remains to that church in 1799 after putting them in public view for veneration prior to reburial.

Beatification His reputation for holiness had been noted throughout his lifetime and efforts to name him as a saint began not long following his death. But the cause to do this never gained significant traction which saw centuries elapse before notable progress was made. The Pavia diocese under Bishop Francesco Ciceri in 1907 made an official request to Pope Pius X to name him as a Blessed but the Congregation of Rites took over the investigation first.

The cause culminated on 12 March 1919 after Pope Benedict XV beatified him upon confirming that there existed a longstanding "cultus" (or popular veneration) attributed to the late friar.