What you say of me does not come from yourselves;
it is the spirit of my Father speaking in you, alleluia.

antoninusvincentferrer

A contemporary of St. Vincent Ferrer, St. Antoninus of Florence was instrumental in reforming the Dominican Order in Italy before being elected Archbishop of Florence in 1446.  A zealous pastor of souls, St. Antoninus fulfilled his duties as a friar and a bishop with distinction.  Also a trained scholar, St. Antoninus wrote books in theology, law, and economics.

From the Dominican Ordo:

Antonino Fierozzi was born in Florence in 1389 and in 1405 was received into the Order “for the future priory of Fiesole” by Blessed John Dominic, who at the time was reforming the Dominican priories of the area according to the wishes of Blessed Raymond of Capua.  He served the friars in various prioris in Italy, often as local superior, and became a distinguished master of canon law.  In 1436 he founded the famous priory of San Marco in Florence and under his leadership Fra Angelico decorated the priory and an outstanding library was collected.  His wisdom and pastoral zeal made him a natural choice for Archbishop of Florence in 1446.  He was noted for his service to the poor and established a society under the patronage of Saint Martin to assist him in this work.  Among his writings the best known in his Summa moralis.  His whole life was mirrored in his last words, “to serve God is to reign.”  He died on May 2, 1459.

For more on the life of St. Antoninus, click here and here.  For an explanation of the window dedicated to St. Anoninus in the parish church, click here.

Eternal God,
you wonderfully blessed Saint Antoninus
with the gift of wisdom.
Pour out upon us, your servants,
the same spirit of understanding, truth and peace.
May we know in our hearts what pleases you
and pursue it with all our strength.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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