Raynald of Nocera

Raynald was a Benedictine monk and Bishop of Nocera Umbra. Born around 1150, in the village of Postignano, near Nocera Umbra, Italy, to parents of German descent.[1]

He entered the Benedictine congregation of Fonte Avellana. He was at the monastery of S. Maria di Vallemergo in 1199, along with Trasimundus, the future bishop of Senigallia.[2] He was elected Prior of the monastery of Santa Croce di Fonte Avellana, though the date is unknown. On 7 February 1218 Prior Rinaldo and his monastery were taken under the protection of the Holy See by Pope Honorius III, renewing the privilege granted by Pope Innocent II in 1139.[3] In 1218, he accompanied Bishop Gerard of Ancona and Bishop Trasimundus of Senigallia to Fano, to negotiate the release of the imprisoned Bishop Riccardo.[4] In September 1218, he visited the monastery of S. Esuperanzio in Cingoli, where he acted as witness to a grant to the monastery. He then visited Senigallia, where his congregation received a gift, and finally returned to his own monastery at Fonte Avellano.[5]

He was appointed Bishop of Nocera Umbra in 1213.[6] He was a close friend of St. Francis of Assisi. He was one of the seven bishops who consecrated the church of the Porziuncula at Assisi, and proclaimed the indulgence.[7] He served as Bishop of Nocera until his death in 1217.[8]