[1] He belonged to the noble family of the Manassei and was a Doctor of Medicine and well-versed in letters and philosophy before he entered the Order of Friars Minor in Umbria.
[1] After devoting himself assiduously to the study of theology, Barnabas began to preach with wonderful success, but a severe illness obliged him to abandon this work.
[1] After consulting his fellow religious Fortunatus Coppoli, who had been an eminent jurisconsult, and with the generous co-operation of the wealthy Perugians, Barnabas established the first Monte di Pietà, a charitable loan institution, in their city in 1462.
Barnabas next extended his work to other cities; it was enthusiastically taken up by several great Franciscan missionaries, and in their day, the monti di pietà wonderfully improved the social conditions of Italy.
[1] He died at the Eremo delle Carceri on Monte Subasio at an advanced age and his remains were deposited there in the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene.