These practices caused his reputation for sanctity to spread; he alas called by no other name than the Antony or Hilarion of his age.

In the 17th century, the Confraternity of Saint Donino of Villamagna still covered in procession that same distance in memory of the holy penitent, but not on their knees.

There, in a small enclosure, she saw a cherry tree full of very red and very ripe fruit "as fine and fresh as in June".

It was for that reason that Gerard Mecatti is depicted dressed in grey but wearing the cross of Saint John on his breast and carrying a branch loaded with red cherries.

His body was placed not far from there in the branches of an oak tree, so that he might be out of reach of the fanatic piety of the villagers who would not have hesitated to dig him up in order to divide his relics.