Saint Andrew Corsini, Bishop & Confessor
S. Andreae Corsini Episcopi et Confessoris
Carmelite friar and Bishop of Fiesole, Saint Andrew Corsini (1302–1373) turned from a wayward youth to a life of penance, becoming a peacemaker among the cities of Italy and a tender father to his people.
Saint Andrew Corsini was born at Florence in 1302, of the noble Corsini family. By his own later testimony his youth was disordered and given to dissipation, a grief to his devout mother. Moved at length by her prayers and tears and by the grace of God, he repented and resolved to amend his life. He entered the Order of Carmelites in Florence, embracing penance and prayer with the same wholeheartedness he had once given to vanity.
Bishop and Peacemaker
After studies and ordination he became known for his learning, his preaching, and above all his charity to the poor. In 1349 he was made Bishop of Fiesole. He governed his diocese with humility and zeal, continuing to live austerely, visiting the sick, reconciling enemies, and caring for those in need. He was several times called upon to make peace between the warring factions and cities of the Italy of his day; tradition relates that Pope Urban V sent him as legate to Bologna to quiet its discords, a mission he fulfilled with patience and success.
A Holy Death
Saint Andrew was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, under whose patronage the Carmelite Order is placed, and it is related that she forewarned him of his death. He died at Fiesole on the feast of the Epiphany, 6 January 1373, mourned by his people; his relics were afterward translated to the Carmelite church of Santa Maria del Carmine at Florence. Many favours were attributed to his intercession, and he was canonised in 1629. His feast is kept on 4 February.
The Collect
O God, who in blessed Andrew, Thy Bishop, hast given us a wonderful example of charity and patience, conspicuous especially in calming the discords of his fellow-citizens: grant us, we beseech Thee, that, following his example, we may so love one another in deeds of charity that we may be found worthy of the rewards of everlasting peace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Deus, qui in beato Andrea Pontifice caritatis et patientiae nobis exempla mirabilia, praesertim in concivium discordiis sedandis, praestitisti: da nobis, quaesumus; eius exemplo ita fraterna caritate diligere, ut in operibus caritatis perseverantes, perpetuae pacis praemia consequi mereamur. Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum Filium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Patronage
He is venerated especially in Florence and among the Carmelites, and is invoked as a patron of peacemakers and against riots and civil discord.
In the Modern Calendar
This feast does not appear in the General Roman Calendar of the modern rite, though he continues to be honoured by the Carmelite Order.
Common Questions
When is the feast of Saint Andrew Corsini?
In the 1962 Roman Missal his feast is kept on 4 February as a Third Class feast. He is not included in the General Calendar of the modern rite, but is honoured by the Carmelite Order.
Who was Saint Andrew Corsini?
He was a Carmelite friar of Florence who, after a disordered youth, converted to a life of penance and became Bishop of Fiesole. He is remembered for his charity to the poor and his work reconciling the warring factions of his day.
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