12 July - Jean Gualbert, a native of Tavarnelle Val di Pesa in the Province of Florence from a rich family of the city. He is brought up in excess, but his life changes the day he forgives his brother's (or a relative's) executioner by meditating on the passion of Christ.

Profoundly transformed by prayer, he took the habit of a Benedictine at the monastery of San Miniato al Monte when he was 18 years old. On the death of the Abbot of San Miniato al Monte, he was elected to succeed him. But he did not wish to succeed him, and a new election took place. Convinced of the simony of the bishop of Florence, he denounced it. He retires to one of his annexes to pursue an austere life with two hermits.

In 1015, when he retired to Vallombreuse, without a cleric's office, he nevertheless took over the leadership of the community as provost and then as abbot, because many lay people and monks from San Miniato joined him there, following the rule of St. Benedict, while taking inspiration from the old Fathers, especially St. Basil, insisting on charity and common life Ora et labora, and thus he gave birth to the order of the Vallombrosans. In 1036 they built the oratory and cells and welcomed pilgrims. The church was consecrated in 1038 by Bishop Paderborn Rudolf, representing Emperor Henry II. In 1051, he met Pope Leo IX and continued to support with words the fight against simony led by the popes.

Retired to Abbazia di San Michele Arcangelo a Passignano he died there in 1073, where his relics have long been preserved in a carved tomb by Benedetto da Rovezzano (now in San Salvi in Florence). Canonized in 1193 by Pope Celestine III, Pope Pius XII declared him patron saint of the foresters of Italy in 1951 and patron saint of the foresters of Brazil in 1957.