| Honorific Prefix: | Blessed |
| Baldassare Ravaschieri | |
| Honorific Suffix: | O.F.M. |
| Birth Date: | 1420 |
| Birth Place: | Chiavari, Republic of Genoa |
| Death Date: | 17 October 1492 (aged 72) |
| Death Place: | Binasco, Duchy of Milan |
| Titles: | Priest |
| Venerated In: | Roman Catholic Church |
| Attributes: | Franciscan habit |
| Beatified Date: | 8 January 1930 |
| Beatified Place: | Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City |
| Beatified By: | Pope Pius XI |
Baldassare Ravaschieri, OFM (1420 - 17 October 1492) was an Italian Catholic priest and a professed member of the Order of Friars Minor. Ravaschieri served as a noted preacher and confessor and befriended as contemporaries Bernardine of Feltre and architect Giovanni Antonio Amadeo.[1]
Ravaschieri's beatification received confirmation on 8 January 1930 after Pope Pius XI issued a decree that acknowledged his 'cultus' (or popular devotion and following).[2]
Baldassare Ravaschieri was born in the Republic of Genoa in 1420 to nobles whose ancestors were the counts of Lavagna; his father was Count Cattaneo (d. 1421). His aunts Ginerva and Tobia - both Franciscan tertiaries - were responsible for his religious upbringing.[1]
He entered the convent of the Order of Friars Minor not too far from his home in Genoa where he became noted for being a good theologian and a model religious while also acting as a zealous confessor. He was also known for his practice of mortifications. Ravaschieri also served as the order's superior and later its vicar provincial.[1] His studies for the priesthood were conducted at Santa Maria del Campo (where he earned his doctorate in theological studies)[2] before he was ordained as a priest.[3] Ravaschieri also suffered from gout which limited his movements and required him to sometimes be carried to Mass.
Ravaschieri also served as a preacher alongside Bernardine of Feltre.[3] He was a friend of the architect Giovanni Antonio Amadeo and the confessor of Veronica of Milan.[1] It was once said that on one winter night he had remained in the woods where it was snowing though the spot he was sitting in was without snow.[2]
He died on 17 October 1492. His relics were transferred to Pavia in 1805.[2]
The Diocese of Pavia initiated the cause for beatification that later resulted in the recognition of his 'cultus' (or popular following) which allowed for Pope Pius XI - on 8 January 1930 - to confirm his beatification.