Saint Antoninus, Archbishop of Florence
Saint Antoninus, original name Antonino Pierozzi, or Antonino de’ Forciglioni, Antonino also spelled Antonio, (born March 1, 1389, Florence—died May 2, 1459, Florence; canonized 1523; feast day May 10), archbishop of Florence who is regarded as one of the founders of modern moral theology and Christian social ethics.
In Florence Antoninus joined the Dominican order (1405); he became an active leader of the order’s Observant movement, especially at Fiesole, near Florence. As vicar of the Observants he founded the convent of San Marco, Florence, in 1436. There he served as prior (1439–44) and attended the Council of Florence (1439–45).
He became archbishop of Florence (1446), where he was greatly beloved for his charity . A plague hit Florence in 1448 and 1449. Then an earthquake shook it in 1453, followed by a cyclone in 1456, and then a famine.
St Antoninus was frequently seen with his mule loaded with emergency supplies, going through the streets of the city to help those in both material and spiritual need, bringing relief supplies and the succor of the sacraments.
.He was canonized by Pope Adrian VI. Antoninus’ principal works are his Summa moralis (Venice, 1477) and Summa confessionum (Mondovì, 1472).
His body remains incorrupt to this day. See below.
