February 4 — Saint Andrew Corsini

Interea Fesulana Ecclesia suo viduata pastore eum sibi episcopum elegit : quo munere se indignum sestimans, diu latuit ignotus, donee pueri voce mirabiliter loquentis proditus, et extra • urbem inventus, ne divinse contradiceret voluntati episcopatum suscepit. Ea dignitate auctus, humilitate, quam semper coluerat, impensius incubuit et pastoral! solicitudini, misericordiam in pauperes, liberalitatem, orationis assiduitatem, vigilias, aliasque virtutes adjunxit, et spiritu etiam prophetico clarus fuit, adeo ut ejus sanctitas ab omnibus celebraretur.

His permotus Urbanus quintus ad sedandas Bononiae turbas An dream legatum misit: quo in munere multa perpessus, civium odia, quae ad internecionem exarserant, summa prudentia restinxit ; turn restituta tranquillitate ad propria reversus est. Nec multo post assiduis laboribus, et voluntaria carnis maceratione confectus, obitus die a beata Virgine sibi prsedicto, ad coelestia regna migravit, anno Domini millesimo trecentesimo septuagesimo tertio, setatis suae septuagesimo

It happened about that time, that the Church of Fiesole lost its bishop, and Andrew was chosen as his successor. But looking on himself as unworthy of such a dignity, he hid himself so that no one knew where he was. But a child, who had not yet received the use of speech, miraculously revealed the place, outside the town, where he was ; upon which the saint, fearing that further refusal would be a resistance to the divine will, was consecrated bishop. Thus exalted to so great a dignity, he applied himself more than ever to the practice of humility, which had always been his favourite virtue. To the zeal of a good pastor, he united tender compassion for the poor, abundant almsgiving, a life of prayer, long watchings, and other virtues ; all which, together with the gift of prophecy he had received, gained for him a great reputation for sanctity.

Pope Urban V., hearing of his great merits, sent him as his legate to Bologna, that he might quell a sedition that had arisen in that city. The fulfilment of this charge cost him much suffering ; but such was his prudence, that he succeeded in restoring peace among the citizens, and so preventing further bloodshed ; he then returned to Fiesole. Not long after this, being worn out by ceaseless labours and bodily mortifications, and having been told by the blessed Virgin of the precise day of his death, he passed from this life to the

SEPTUAGESIMA primo. Quern Urbanus octavus multis magnisque miraculis clarum, sanctorum numero adscripsit. Ejus corpus Florentiae in ecclesia sui Ordinis quiescit, et maxima civium veneratione colitur : quibus non semel in prsesenti discrimine prsesidio fuit. kingdom of heaven, in the year of our Lord thirteen hundred and seventy three, and in the seventy-first year of his age. Great was the reputation of his name on account of the many and wonderful miracles wrought through his interces- g sion, and at length he was canonized by Urban VIII. His body reposes in the church of his Order at Florence, where it is held in great veneration, the citizens having often experienced his protection in times of public calamity.

Hear, 0 holy pontiff, our prayer : we are sinners, and would learn from thee how we are to return to the God we have offended. His mercy was poured out upon thee ; obtain the same for us. Have pity on Christians throughout the world, for the grace of repentance is now being offered to all ; pray for us, that we may be filled with the spirit of compunction. We have sinned ; we sue for pardon ; intercession like thine can win it for us. From wolves, change us into lambs. Strengthen us against our enemies ; get us an increase of the virtue of humility, which thou hadst in such perfection ; and intercede for us with our Lord, that He crown our efforts with perseverance, as He did thine ; that thus we may be enabled to unite with thee in singing, for ever, the praises of our Redeemer.