Bl. Monaldus was born in Koper or Piran about 1210. He probably came into contact with Franciscan friars in Padua, which was chosen as the permanent residence by St Anthony in 1229. In Padua, where students and professors came from Bologna, he probably received legal education. He was the provincial of the Dalmatian- Slavonic province, a learned lawyer and was also known for his saintly life. He is the author of Summa Monaldina, a kind of legal encyclopedia, which is named after him. He is also attributed some other works, especially several collections of sermons. It is very likely that he wrote several sermons and some other theological papers, yet his authorship would have to be proven by a critical study of the texts. He died in the Friary in Koper around 1280.
Immediately after his death people started to believe that he was a saint. His body remains were kept and venerated in St. Francis’ church until 1806 when Napoleon dissolved the monastery. Through Gravisi family the relics came to the Koper cathedral. In 1901 the bishop allowed the shrine with relics to be given to St. Anne’s church. In 1904 bishop Frančišek Nagl examined the holy bones and confirmed their veneration. Therefore on 1 August 1904 the relics were put on the St. Diego altar for public veneration. Before 1954 the reliquiary was secretly taken to Venice and then to the church Santa Maria Maggiore in Triest, where it is still kept. It can only be hoped that the holy relics of Blessed Monaldus will soon return to St. Anne’s church.
