Pelingotto began to work in his father's business in 1252 and cared nothing for business like his father did and nor did he care about worldliness of wealth. Instead he preferred to live life as a hermit and he felt called to help the less fortunate in the world so gave to the poor food and clothes as well as other aspects of his wealth. Business efforts were not directed to his own fortune or for profit but for the sustenance and benefit of other people. He lived in rags and wore a rope around his neck to indicate that he was a sinner in need of punishment. His parents worried about his health and had to bring him in from the streets.
