Saint Antoninus of Florence

SAINT ANTONINUS OF FLORENCE, BISHOP

Dominican Saint

Born in Florence in 1389, Saint Antoninus joined the Order of Preachers as a young man and eventually became the Prior at Cortona, Naples and then Rome. During his term as Prior in Rome, he had Saint Catherine of Siena’s incorrupt remains enshrined. He established the Priory of San Marco and granted scholars access to its famed library, which is considered Europe’s first public library.

Saint Antoninus’ writings were compared favorably with the works of Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Alphonsus Liguori, and in 1446 reluctantly became Archbishop of Florence. His humility, compassion for the poor, and wisdom led to his being known as “Antoninus the Counselor,” “The People’s Prelate,” and “Father of the Poor.” He died at age 70 in 1459 and was canonized by Pope Clement VII in 1524. His incorrupt remains can be found in the Dominican Church of San Marco in Florence.

IMAGE:

Saint Antoninus of Florence, Bishop

Ivory

UST-S-00519

Collection of the UST Museum

Source:

1. http://lanavaldemanilachronicles.blogspot.com/2011/02/san-antonio-de-florencia-bishop.html

2. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-relic-of-st-antoninus-florence-italy