Born in Penna, Blessed John entered the Franciscan Order during the lifetime of St. Francis. He was sent to the provinces of Languedoc and Provence to found monasteries there. He lived in this area for about twenty-five years, showing great zeal in the apostolate, and winning admiration by his gentleness and charity. At the end of his life, an angel appeared to him and said, “The end of your life has come. Choose between one day in purgatory, or seven days of penance on earth.” He chose the seven days of penance. Thenceforth he felt crushed down by the weight of all suffering, until the seventh day when the Lord called him to Himself. This was in 1271. Pius VII gave approval to his cultus.