May 10th - St Antoninus
Antoninus was the son of Nicholas Pierozzi, the Notary of the Republic of
Florence. He was born in March of 1389, in Florence, Italy and apparently
came from a very devout family. He had the reputation for being a very
prayerful, compassionate and gentle boy. He was baptized Antony, but
because
of his small build was always known as Antonino to his family and friends.
At the age of fifteen he sought entrance to the Dominican Priory of Santa
Maria Novella. He was put off for awhile because of his weakly appearance,
but his constancy encouraged the prior to accept him a year later and he
was
sent to Cortona for his novitiate. He was professed in 1406 and soon
became
one of the youngest friars to be assigned to govern a convent of strict
observance. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1413 amidst difficulty
completing his studies because of the turmoil of the great Western Schism
which was in its closing years.
Antoninus would subsequently be prior of several houses in Italy. He was
greatly troubled by the abuses and corruption which had developed in the
Church and sought to bring order out of chaos and to develop discipline
and
integrity among the houses he governed. In 1431 he was appointed auditor
general of a tribunal, which had authority over ecclesiastical trials as
well as civil cases in the Papal States. He worked untiringly to bring
about
peace and reform.
He was elected prior-provincial and was greatly effective in bringing
about
reform and unity to the Dominican order in Italy. In 1436 he founded the
famous convent of San Marco, which he had rebuilt and decorated with
frescos
by his novitiate companion Fra Angelico. The library of San Marco, one of
the better-furnished libraries of Europe, was opened to all scholars. It
may
have been the first public library in Europe. Antoninus' scholarly
abilities
were also called into service by Pope Eugene IV, at the Council of
Florence
in 1439.
Antoninus love for God brought him into many other areas as well. He is
credited with the founding of the, "Buonomini di San Marco." This was a
charitable association, similar to our St. Vincent de Paul Society, but
with
a wider scope. It is still in existence today. Antoninus worked diligently
to bring catechesis to the children especially those who were poor. He was
also sought as a confessor and spiritual director by all classes of
people.
Much to his dismay he was appointed archbishop of Florence in 1446. Once
again his focus became reform. He insisted not only on the preaching of
the
Gospel, but also the example of living it to the best of one's ability.
Churches were repaired, unnecessary money and materials were used to
provide
for the poor and needy of the diocese. He preached every Sunday, visited
all
the churches of his diocese every year and enforced the observance of
canon
law among all his clergy and religious. He preached against gambling and
strongly opposed usury and magic.
Antoninus also continued to be called upon for diplomatic missions as well
as missions of reform by the popes and civil leaders in Italy. He died May
2, 1459, held in high esteem by the Catholic clergy, the civil rulers and
the people of his diocese. He was canonized in 1523.
Also see longer version at:
http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0510.htm
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Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth. -Matt. 5:4
At times a single word is sufficient to cool a person who is burning with
anger; and, on the other hand, a single word may be capable of desolating
a
soul, and infusing into it a bitterness which may be most hurtful.
-St. Vincent de Paul
Three monks, being on a journey, lost their road, and so were obliged to
pass through a field of grain, which they consequently injured. A peasant,
seeing this, began to reproach them and call them false monks. Then the
oldest told his companions not to reply, and when he came near the man, he
said to him, "My son, you have said well". And as he continued to insult
them, he added: "You tell the truth, my son; for if we were true monks, we
should not have done you this harm. Now, pardon us for the love of God,
for
we know that we have done wrong' At these words, the rustic, amazed at
such
great meekness, threw himself at their feet, asked for pardon, and then
for
the habit, and went away with them.
(Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints". May - Meekness)
Bible Quote
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all truth.
For he shall not speak of himself; but what things soever he shall hear,
he
shall speak; and the things that are to come, he shall shew you.
(John 16:13)
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A prayer to Mary, and an triple invocation:
O dearest Lady, Sweet Mother mine, watch the hour
when my departing soul shall lose its hold on all earthly
things, and stand unveiled in the presence of its Creator.
Show thyself as my tender Mother then, and offer to the
Eternal Father the precious Blood of thy Son Jesus for my
poor soul, that it may, thus purified, be pleasing in His
sight. Plead for thy poor child at the moment of his (or
her) departure from this world, and say to the Heavenly
Father: Receive him (or her) this day into Thy Kingdom!
Amen.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in
peace with you.
Imprimatur: +John Farley, Archbishop of New York,
Sept 19, 1908.
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