There was a priest in Pisa who was both handsome and rich, but was so humble that he always wore a hair shirt.

He said the hours of the Virgin and, praying in front of her statue, promised to guard his virginity.

His parents died and he inherited their vineyards and orchards. His relatives urged him to get married, and pressured him to choose a bride from among the wealthiest and most beautiful women in the land.

He finally consented and his wedding day arrived. As the guests assembled, the priest remembered that he had neglected to say his prayers. He went into the church to pray and was overcome by fatigue. As he lay sleeping, he had a vision. The Virgin came with a heavenly host and reproached him for spurning her and taking another lover.

The priest got up and ordered the wedding banquet to be served, but he ate little because he was troubled about lying to the Virgin. When the priest lay down with his new bride he found that he was impotent, although he desired her very much.

He renounced his wealth and lived in poverty, guided by the Virgin.