Angelo of Furci

ON BLESSED ANGELO OF FURCI, OF THE ORDER OF HERMITS OF SAINT AUGUSTINE, AT GUASTO D'AMONE IN THE ABRUZZI,

Year 1327

Preliminary Commentary.

Angelo of Furci, Order of Hermits of Saint Augustine, at Guasto d'Amone in the Abruzzi (Blessed)

I. B.

[1] Histonium was a town of the Frentani, mentioned by Pliny in book 3, chapter 12, in the fourth region of Italy, and by other writers. It is now called Guasto d'Amone, or Vastum Aymonis, commonly Guasto d'Amone, between the Asinella and Trigno rivers in Hither Abruzzi; at Guasto d'Amone in the Abruzzi where Leander writes that vestiges of ancient works survive, especially of a sumptuous palace and a very beautiful theater. That on the sixth of February the feast of Blessed Angelo of Furci is celebrated here was attested to us by our Antonius Beatillus, Blessed Angelo is venerated on February 6: a learned and saintly man, in a letter dated at Naples in 1638. Philippus Ferrarius also lists him in his general catalogue of Saints on the eighth of the Ides of February, in these words: "At Furci, a village of the diocese of Chieti, of Blessed Angelo, of the Order of Hermits."

[2] Caesar Eugenius Caracciolo praises him with this encomium in his Napoli Sacra, speaking of the monastery of Saint Augustine: "In this place also lived Blessed Angelo of Furci (that is a small castle of Hither Abruzzi), an eminent theologian, he lived at Naples, who, having been appointed by Blessed Clement of Osimo, General of the Order, as the primary professor of the public school of studies at this monastery, after long labors, illustrious for many miracles and the sanctity of his life, here breathed forth his blessed soul, to enjoy the sight of his Creator. His body now rests beneath the altar of the chapel and was buried there. called that of the Nativity. Moreover, the marble of his broken sepulcher is seen in the altar near the smaller door leading to the cloister, with this inscription: HERE LIES BLESSED ANGELO OF FURCI, OF THE ORDER OF SAINT AUGUSTINE, LECTOR..."

[3] So writes Eugenius, who in the margin adds: "The Life of Blessed Angelo is in the possession of the author." We received that Life through the aforementioned Antonius Beatillus from the codices of the reliquary of Saint Augustine's in Naples. whence the Life is published here? From it the age of the blessed man is known, which Thomas Herrera does not sufficiently clarify in his Augustinian Alphabet; he writes that according to some he was a monk in the year 1256, according to others in 1300, and finally according to some in 1409. But it is established from the Life that he lived at Paris with Giles of Rome, and was appointed to teach Theology at Naples by Blessed Clement of Osimo; of whom Nicholas Crusenius, in his Augustinian Monasticon, part 3, chapter 4, writes that he was made General in the year 1270, then voluntarily resigned his office in 1275, but was compelled to resume it in 1284, and died in the year 1291. Herrera concurs; and they assert that Giles of Rome was substituted for Clement in the year 1292 and four years later was made Archbishop of Bourges. he died in the year 1327. The author of the Life records that Blessed Angelo died in the year 1327. Ferrarius says he lived eighty-one years. Some of these matters are examined below in the Notes.

[4] Two Orations and two Hymns are added in the Beatillus manuscript, which it will be worthwhile to append here. The first Oration: "We beseech you, almighty God, an Oration concerning him: look upon the prayers of the humble, and, placated by the intercession of Blessed Angelo, your Confessor, who by the Angelic breath happily imitated the life and ways of the outstanding Doctor Augustine, grant that we may despise all earthly things in our hearts and ever rejoice in participation in heavenly things. Through Christ." another: The second: "O God, who through Blessed Angelo of Furci freed many who were oppressed by infirmities and removed various diseases through him, grant, we beseech you, that by his patronage we too may be able to bewail all our sins and at last merit to attain to his fellowship. Through our Lord."

Hymn at Matins.

hymn, After you, immense second Baptist, A heavenly man, an earthly Angel, Devoting yourself to divine things, sought the desert And the religious life. You who, imitating the life and keeping the Rule Of the illustrious Father Augustine, Despised all things of the fleeting world, Seeking heavenly things. We, your fellow citizens, beseech you: Full of joy, unmask us before the enemy; Through you may we also be saved from adversity And be governed. Through the same Jesus, who in perpetuity With the Holy Spirit shall live for ever and ever. Amen.

Hymn at Vespers.

Angelo of Furci, you are an Angel of peace, Born of Adaliptus, begotten of Albatia, White in mind, exalted in deed, Raise up the oppressed. Aforesaid offspring of holy Augustine, By your merits, above the Sad River, That we be not sad but your fellow citizens, We all beseech. May all honor you, but let your homeland Tearfully pray and pour forth petitions, And ever singing praises to you, Beg devout ones. You who freed many who were ill, Free Furci and all its peoples, And grant us a fountain of tears, That we may weep before God. In the morning let us seek you, and at evening too, At the Sixth and Ninth Hours, always praying. Make us citizens of heaven, devoted to Christ, By your prayers. Through you may we render from death Our souls to Christ, to God the supreme Father, To the Holy Spirit, who in perpetual Honor reigns. Amen.

[6] These hymns are both ancient, being far removed from the elegance of this and the preceding century, both old and unpolished, and were composed for the Church of Furci. For in the first, stanza three, and in the second, stanza two, they address him as "fellow citizen"; and in stanza three they name his homeland, just as stanza two names the "Sad River," which is said at the beginning of the Life to be the present name of Furci. Furci, or Sad River, is, as Eugenius says above, a castle, customarily sung at Furci, or, as the manuscript Life says, a fortified place. Herrera calls it Furcae and makes it a small town; Ferrarius calls it Furcum, a village of the County of Monte Odorisio. According to the testimony of Leander Alberti, near the river Asinella, on its right bank, there is a small castle called Mons Dorisius, distinguished nevertheless by the title of a County.

[7] Besides, therefore, the Neapolitan monument mentioned above, and the ancient title of "Blessed" engraved in marble, where some of his relics are kept. and besides the celebrated veneration in the town of Guasto d'Amone, a chapel has also been built for him at Furci, as Ferrarius attests, in which his relics are preserved. Philippus Elssius mentions Blessed Angelo "de Fursis" (as he writes) in his Augustinian Encomiasticon, where he also cites others.

LIFE, FROM THE NEAPOLITAN MANUSCRIPT,

by an anonymous author.

Angelo of Furci, Order of Hermits of Saint Augustine, at Guasto d'Amone in the Abruzzi (Blessed)

BHL Number: 0461

By an anonymous author, from manuscripts.

CHAPTER I. Blessed Angelo, promised from heaven to barren parents.

[1] In the Abruzzi province of the kingdom of Sicily,^a in the diocese of Chieti,^b there is a castle which was formerly called Furci and is now called Sad River; in which there was a certain man named Adaliptus, with his wife, parents of Blessed Angelo named Albatia. Both of them were, according to the dignity of their country and their time, of no low station, supported by worldly substance and abundance of possessions, honorable and very pious, surrounded by a company of powerful kinsmen, but above all adorned with the fear of God, inflamed with the fire of charity toward God and men, radiant in the uprightness of their morals, devoted to prayers and works of mercy toward the poor and needy, visiting the thresholds of churches, mortifying themselves with fasts, vigils, and pilgrimages, engaging in all acts of devotion, and meditating upon nothing else than how they might merit to please God.

[2] But when they had already spurned the world from their hearts and the flower of their youth was withering, they began to think, by divine inspiration, lest like fruitless trees they should be ordered to be cut down or should wither, like the fig tree which God cursed. Matt. 21:19 In this, then, they believed they would obtain the grace and mercy of God, if from their bodies, as from verdant trees laden in their seasons with fruits, a shoot should spring forth into a most sweet fruit for God. Praying therefore, they said: but barren, "Incline your ears, O God, and hear the prayers of your servants, who cry out confidently and with all their hearts; and open the treasury of your mercy. Magnify, we beseech you, your name over us by granting the fruit of our bodies. they pray to God for a son, Remove from us, we pray, the reproach of barrenness. Nor do we desire this to be granted to your servants for the sake of pride or for the sake of successors to our goods; but only that this fruit of ours may shine before you to be dedicated to his service. and never depart from your service. Visit us, we beseech you, with your salvation, as you deigned to visit the barren Anna, wife of Elkanah, who bore Samuel, your most faithful Prophet." 1 Sam. 1

[3] Thus both prayed; yet because they thought themselves unworthy to be heard by God, they resolved to invoke with all the affection of their hearts their special patron, Michael the Archangel, for this desired gift. they implore the patronage of Saint Michael for this purpose at Mount Gargano; Therefore they offer their vows and proceed to his shrine on Mount Gargano;^d and there they pour forth prayers and shed many tears, and burst forth from the depths of their hearts into sobs and sighs, meditating in their hearts and pronouncing with their tongues: "O holy Michael, receive the vows of those who weep, and do not despise the prayers of those who seek your patronage, offered to you in this celebrated place of your venerable memory with great fervor of heart. Beseech for us the fruit of our posterity, to be forever devoted to the divine service; for we now pledge him before you and your holy altar to be dedicated to God. Let our prayer enter into your sight, and let our tears reach the divine ears through you." And so, comforted and trusting that they would be heard by the favor of so great a patronage, they returned home rejoicing.

[4] On the following night, therefore, while they were neither fully awake nor fully asleep, who appears to them with Saint Augustine, behold, the Angel of the Lord stood beside them, suffused with exceeding brightness, gentle in appearance, pleasant in speech, and gracious in consolation; at whose right hand stood a certain venerable figure adorned with episcopal insignia, beneath whose episcopal mantle the habit of the Order of the Hermit Friars of Saint Augustine was clearly visible. While they were astonished at this most novel vision, the Angel himself spoke thus: "Fear not; for I am your protector, Michael the Archangel, who stand always before God. When you besought me, I offered your tears before God; and now I am sent to announce to you that your prayers have been heard. For a son shall be born to you, and he shall be called Angel. and promises them a son, He shall be great before the Lord, for through him the Most High shall work great things. Even in his tender years he shall devote himself to learning and divine discipline. And I shall be his watchful guardian and protector. who will be an Augustinian He himself shall despise the world and shall cling to this my companion. This companion of mine in this ministry, of whom I have spoken, is Augustine,^e Bishop and eminent Doctor, under whose Rule your future son shall serve. And now we have come to you together, because the Most High has committed his care to us. From that Father, as from the fountain of lights, he shall draw the water of all knowledge and wisdom, and learned. with which he shall water the hearts of those who pray and make them flourish in the divine field." When these words were finished, both together vanished from their sight with immense light, ascending to heaven. Whence they were gladdened beyond what can be expressed at so great a vision and message. They rose and, prostrating themselves upon the ground with profound devotion and humble minds, rendered praises to God, Blessed Michael the Archangel, and Blessed Augustine, vowing with a firm pledge to devote themselves even more fully to the divine works.

CHAPTER II. The upbringing and literary studies of Blessed Angelo.

[5] Therefore Albatia conceived, a woman of the brightest mind, joined in marriage to Adaliptus, having until then been deprived of the consolation of fruitfulness, and she rejoiced with all her heart that she was being enriched with a divine gift: the mother conceived and bore. Angelo came forth to the light. They say this is not a human but a divine mystery. For at the very hour in which he issued from his mother's womb, he was marked with the name given by his Archangel, Angelo is born: he receives his name from the Archangel: and he was called Angel, just as Michael the Archangel had foretold. At this his parents were amazed, the bystanders marveled, the neighbors who heard it rejoiced, his kinsmen congratulated them, and they burst forth in praises of God. His mother nursed the boy until he should be weaned, and then they would offer him to God.

[6] When the time of weaning was completed, not unmindful of the divine mystery, they entrusted him to be taught his letters to a certain monk of the Order of Saint Benedict, the Abbot of the monastery of Saint Angelo at Cornaclano, two miles distant from their said castle. This man was of the greatest holiness, called by the name Mons, [he learns his letters in a monastery of the Order of Saint Benedict, under his uncle the Abbot,] and was the uterine brother of the mother of that angelic boy. In this monastery he remained continually under the rod of instruction of his said uncle, Mons, and Abbot of that place, for as long as that holy man the Abbot lived. During which time he did nothing childish, as is customary for boys of that age; but now he clung to the embrace of his holy uncle, now he followed his steps,

now he silently contemplated the life and morals of those monks, grave and serious in boyhood, and now, as far as his age permitted, he devoted himself to works of piety, so much so that he turned his uncle, each of the monks, and all others to astonishment. For he shunned the company not only of secular boys but even of monks of his own age. His infancy was reckoned in years, but he was marvelous in the wisdom of old age.

[7] He so loved the study of letters that, beyond human custom and the capacity of such a mind, in the manner of his future Father Augustine, most diligent in studies, he thirstily imbibed wisdom and all knowledge and virtue from his uncle himself and from the books he could read, and preserved them in a tenacious heart. O marvelous and inexpressible capacity of the human mind! he becomes a Cleric: He had not yet completed eighteen years, and by his virtues and knowledge he merited to obtain the clerical order in the Church. For he had not only reached the boundaries and limits of grammatical and logical learning, and was not ignorant of the intermediate depths of profound philosophy, he studies philosophy: but also possessed the boundaries and limits of all natural things, like a learned philosopher. When he had completed eighteen years, he earnestly desired to labor in other liberal arts. To this desire his most holy tutor uncle did not immediately assent, he aspires to higher studies, wishing to test more cautiously the source of such gravity of morals in so tender a boy, such anxiety in the study of letters, such assiduity of prayers, such frugality of food and drink, no love of the world, affection for divine things, compassion for the needy, detestation of vices, and love of virtues, to the extent that all the perfection of religion flourished in him. Revolving all these things frequently within the recesses of his breast, his uncle with his uncle auguring well; resolved absolutely that he was to be dedicated to the divine service and to God under the regular life and whatever Rule he should choose, so that he might more freely devote himself to God and labor in his studies. At about this time the day of the end of the life of the most holy Father Abbot approached, after whose death, he returns home: and he, full of virtues, departed to Christ. The young Angelo, his uncle having paid the debt of humanity through the intervention of death, returned to his parents' home.

CHAPTER III

The desire of Blessed Angelo to embrace the religious life.

[8] His fame for extraordinary knowledge and virtue was spread abroad, and far and wide throughout his homeland his name was proclaimed in praise above all his companions; for he was gentle in speech, upright in deed, compassionate to the poor and needy, of the finest character, benevolent to all; he placed all others before himself, put himself before no one, sought what was honorable, spurned what was wanton, shrank from public places, visited churches, was humble to all, affable to all, honored everyone, and despised no one.

[9] With all these virtues shining forth in him, many and more did not cease to importune the ears of his parents, he is sought by many as a son-in-law. desiring to ally him to themselves through the bond of marriage. To these, no other response was given than this: "That will happen which God has ordained and which will please our son." their response.

[10] As the appointed end of human mortality drew near for Adaliptus, the father of Angelo, he took to his bed; his father falls ill and Adaliptus, being sick, summoned his son Angelo and, having called his wife, said to him: "Behold, my sweetest son, the light of our eyes and the staff of our old age and the pillar of our house, I know and acknowledge that you shine with understanding and every energy of virtue. Having completed twenty years of age, the time has come when it is no longer fitting for you to remain hidden any longer. he proposes this to him, We have been asked whether we wish to join you in the bond of marriage. To which our response has been that we wish to do what God has ordained and what will please our son. And we said this for this great reason, my sweetest son: that by a great mystery, through the mediation of Michael the Archangel, we merited to obtain you from God, and from that moment we dedicated you to God but he exhorts him rather to fulfill the vow by which he was divinely obtained: and to Blessed Augustine. By the same Michael we were instructed how, in the religious life of the same Blessed Augustine, who appeared to us together with the Archangel Michael, you must serve God in warfare. Now therefore, my sweetest son, choose one of two things, whichever pleases you. We certainly refuse to compel you, but we intend to counsel you. We set God before you, son. It was ours to pour forth vows; it is yours to fulfill the promises. Hear, son, and discharge the vows of your parents, that grace may be added to your head."

[11] When he heard these words, the most devout Angelo glorified God and kissed the feet of his parents, Angelo ratifies this, and with a cheerful countenance spoke to them in gentle speech and with a rejoicing spirit: "Let your reverence and honorable parentage know that, just as one who finds a great treasure, and just as one who holds what he has long desired, so I too have rejoiced in what you have told me. Let my heart therefore be clear and known to you, for from the time I attained the limits of discretion, I utterly resolved to devote myself to divine things, to labor in learning, and to please God with all my effort. Therefore I beseech you with all my affections and humbly beg you: if I have found favor in your eyes, counsel me in these things, encourage me in this, rebuke my laziness and repel my faintheartedness; and henceforth let marriage not be mentioned to me. In this, however, I perceive that I have gravely offended God, grieving that he did not know this sooner: because from my earliest tender years you did not reveal to me such an oracle. O wretched me! What a long time I have lost! O God! How shall I restore what has been lost? O how unhappy I am, deprived of such great goods! O how cruel you were as parents, depriving me of so excellent a portion! O God, if I may merit to be made worthy of the bosom of so great a religious Order! O if God would make my journey prosperous, and I might merit to be gathered into so great a fellowship! I desire no other wife, nor do I seek any of the things that are in the world; for the world passes away, and its concupiscence."

[12] When they heard these words, his parents together glorified God and Michael the Archangel, and rendered immense thanks and praises to the Doctor Augustine. after his father's death. And Adaliptus, kissing his son, freed from the bonds of the flesh, departed joyfully to Christ, who may always have mercy on us. After the death of Adaliptus, his father, Angelo remained with his mother and his brothers and sisters for a full year, to manage his mother's substance and to take counsel with her about the state of her children, now grown up, for a year he assists his mother: and to govern her and the entire household.

[13] After which period of time, lest by the favor of God he should any longer be defrauded of the fulfillment of his desire, then he prepares to carry out the vow: he said to his mother: "Let me go, sweetest mother, lest on this road on which I walk the enemy hide a snare for me. For it is time that I go to him who granted me to you, and that I, unworthy, be gathered to another people and to the service of God most high. Behold, God awaits me, the Archangel Michael calls, Father Augustine invites. It is not right to dissemble any longer; it would be impious to delay further, most wicked to hold myself back. I shall go therefore and see this great vision. For whether I eat, or drink, or sleep, the trumpet of a terrible voice always sounds in my ears, speaking to me: 'Arise, you who sleep; rise from the dead, and Christ shall illuminate you.' I shall arise therefore and go to my Father Augustine, and I shall say: 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I have delayed so long. I beseech you, have mercy on me, for you are kind and merciful. I shall fulfill and complete what you commanded by so wondrous an oracle.'"

[14] And summoning his sisters, his brothers by blood, and all of his kindred, he burst forth in these words with an angelic voice:

"Behold, brothers, I shall open to you the secret of my heart. I have resolved and do resolve to be separated from you in body, to go where God directs me, whom I intend to serve. Lay aside all anxiety on my account; only remember me so far as to always pour forth prayers for me. he reveals this to brothers, sisters, friends, For God is and will continually be with you; always fear and love the Lord; honor our common Mother as is fitting; love one another; have peace and affection with all; devote yourselves to works of charity and give yourselves to all divine works."

[15] Then the Holy Spirit of the Lord rushing upon him, he said "Farewell" and bids farewell to them and to his mother: to all, having kissed his mother's feet, and fortified by the sign of the holy Cross, he departed from all. Praying, however, in the cloister of his heart, he said: "Show me your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths; direct me, O Lord, in your truth, and teach me your justifications, for in you, O Lord, have I hoped. For you, O Lord, drew me from the womb, and from my mother's breasts I was cast upon you. Give therefore a lamp to my feet, and a light to my paths, lest any injustice have dominion over me."

CHAPTER IV

The novitiate of the religious life. Theological studies.

[16] The Spirit of the Lord himself directed him and led him to the land^a called Guasto d'Amone, where a house of the Hermit Friars of Saint Augustine is known to be established, he goes to Guasto d'Amone, to an Augustinian monastery, suited for divine worship, in which there was an abundance of Friars, distinguished for their morals, learning, and marvelous sanctity. When, under the guidance of the Spirit, he entered the cloister of that place, the Prior of that place, impelled by the divine Spirit, came forth first to meet him. When the Prior, after a mutual greeting, as is the custom of such a religious order and of devout faithful, asked him whence he came, for what reason he had come there, and by what name he was called, with dove-like simplicity and an angelic voice, with profound reverence, as he had been taught: "I am Angelo," he said, "of the Furci by origin; I have been sent here by God, he asks to be admitted: though unworthy, that I may merit by your charity to serve God and Blessed Augustine worthily in the habit of this holy religious Order. For I have sworn and resolved to keep the commandments of so great a Father and not to depart from his institutes. This therefore is what I seek, this is what I desire with all my heart. I beseech you, Lord, hear the prayers of your servant and assent to my petitions; I beg you, do not despise me as I plead; and grant that I may not return empty-handed, but content and consoled."

[17] When the Prior heard this, encouraging him in the love of God and Blessed Augustine, he convoked the community and spoke about the marvelous devotion of this young man. When all had heard, with all the Brothers truly marveling and rejoicing, he was received as a Brother; he is admitted: he was then entrusted to the master of novices and Brothers, a man adorned in morals, psalmody, and learning, to be taught the ecclesiastical office according to the practice of the religious order. At the very entrance of his religious life he wished to decline the period of probation he asks to profess immediately, and to profess at once. So great was the divine fervor that burned in him, and this he earnestly requested. But the Prior and the said community did not grant his desire in this matter, as being contrary to the right established by the institutes of their holy Fathers, which is denied him: and so that he might be formed in that life and morals, and afterward, when they had found his conduct matching his words, they would receive him more fully and devoutly as a professed member. In the period of his novitiate he attained such divine favor after completing the novitiate he professes: that he surpassed all the Brothers then present, and could already be counted among the professed. When the term of probation was completed, namely a year and a day, he was most eagerly received by the Prior and the community as a professed Brother, to his own great joy.

[18] After he had made his profession, God all the more magnified his mercy in him, so that he already appeared among men as another Daniel, a man of desires, and shining like another Baptist, an earthly Angel and a heavenly man. For, always devoting himself either to prayer or to reading, he frequented his cell and the schools, he diligently devotes himself to study and piety, which he did not leave except when at the appointed hours he visited the church or it was necessary to take food. In this way he attained such a light of learning that within four years of his entry into the religious life, a span of time, he penetrated the bounds of all seven liberal arts and philosophy, and possessed these sciences perfectly, and was not unacquainted with sacred Theology. To all the wretched he was benevolent, to himself alone austere; he mortified himself with fasts, illustrious in every virtue: chastened himself with vigils, and subdued himself with disciplines. His fame for learning grew to such an extent that his homeland was filled with joy and the province of his religious Order exulted, which could rightly rejoice, and not undeservedly, since it was strengthened by the sanctity of Angelo and shone first of all by the brightness of his learning.

[19] After this he was sent to the university of Paris at the age of twenty-five. At that time the illustrious Doctor Brother Giles of Rome held the honor of the mastership, and the knowledge, life, and morals of the Angelic Brother were pleasing to him; he is sent to Paris: he immediately took him as a companion and into his own lodging, for the house of the same Order in the city of Paris was exceedingly far from the quarter or part of the city where the university was conducted; for which reason all those coming at that time for study remained in rented lodgings at their own expense in all things. he lives with Giles of Rome for five years. Blessed Angelo remained at Paris for a full five years, notably assisted in his studies by expenses and learning from the same Doctor, and taught and loved above all others. He held him very dear in his heart, and the same Doctor endeavored to bring him to the fruit of full knowledge of every science, seeing him filled with the fear of God and devoted with the whole gaze of his mind to the pursuit of study. and profits excellently. He was constantly, in all the scholastic exercises of the schools of the same Doctor, an outstanding and most faithful recorder, as is the custom in the university.

CHAPTER V

Offices administered in the religious life. The refused episcopate.

[20] When the full five-year period was completed, the illustrious Doctor Giles, seeing him worthy not merely of the office and honor of Lector, he becomes a Licentiate: but also deserving to be adorned with the summit of the mastership, assembled all, and having observed the form of the university in his examination, solemnly licensed him for the office of Lector. After he had accepted the burden of the Lectureship, he returns to his homeland, he directed his steps toward the kingdom and his own province; and, as one endowed with goodness and filled with the fear of God and fortified with all gentleness and devotion, just as on his outward journey, so on his return from Paris, and travels on foot. he always went on foot.

[21] When he arrived, upon learning that the Prior General of the same Order, Blessed Clement of holy memory,

was at Naples, he immediately went to him out of the greatest devotion; by whom he was received with fatherly affection, and all the more so when he became acquainted with the Life and fame of his visitor. at Naples he greets the Blessed Clement, the General: At the same time the Neapolitan studium lacked a master and Professor of Theology, and was filled with students in number and virtue. They therefore importunately requested every day that they might not lose that time for the acquisition of learning and virtues, and, as a true cultivator of study and one who eagerly sought learning, they begged the same Prior General to provide them opportunely with a Doctor. After some days had passed, the Blessed Prior General Clement himself, he is appointed Professor of Theology by him: having proved true what he had long ago seen in Angelo at Paris, and now seeing with his own eyes what he had learned from his reputation, appointed him as Lector in the principal chair of Theology of the Neapolitan convent and studium and placed him in charge, conferring upon him every dignity, immunity, and authority with which Doctors professing Theology are customarily distinguished.

[22] At this all the Neapolitan citizens rejoice and are glad, the students exult, and all the Rectors of the schools together offer their congratulations, to the great joy of all: all saying with one voice: "Well done, well done! Behold, God has visited his people, for a great Prophet has risen among us, who is worthy to receive the book and to open its seals." He himself searched the depths of the rivers and brought hidden things to light; and this light enriched with its open sweetness and luminous immensity of learning not only the parched hearts of the Neapolitan studium, but also the entire kingdom of Apulia and the minds of all Italy. Nor is it to be wondered at, for he himself is that Angel of whom John spoke figuratively in the Apocalypse, who had great power, and the earth was illuminated by his glory. Rev. 18:1 He is also that Angel^b Rev. 10:1 and 14:6 who came down from heaven clothed with a cloud, and a rainbow upon his head, and his face was as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire, and he had in his hand an open book and the eternal Gospel, to evangelize those sitting upon the earth.

[23] Under his teaching the studium grew and was multiplied, he promotes studies: and the number of students was filled; each one, illuminated by the fruit and light of learning, was more fervently kindled by the desire for knowledge. And not undeservedly, for he is that river which his Father Augustine had foretold, in which the elephant swims and the lamb proclaims, and the beauty of that most holy life fills all parts of Italy. Wherefore he was most devoutly asked by the devout Neapolitan clergy, people, and the entire studium to deign to write upon the Gospel of Matthew, at the request of the Neapolitans, as they declared that although the Gospel itself had been expounded in many and sufficient ways, yet from their special devotion to his teaching they desired to be nourished from the same Gospel by the pen of so great a Father. He resolved to fulfill what was asked to satisfy their devotion, desire, and just petitions. He therefore began and undertook so lofty a work, and, sustained by divine aid, he writes on the Gospel of Saint Matthew brought it to completion.

[24] In the third year of his doctoral governance, when all the Brothers of his religious Order had come to know his sanctity, zeal for justice, gentleness of spirit, fervor of charity, vigor of every virtue, and the splendor of his perfection and Christian religious profession, he becomes Provincial: by a unanimous vote they all elected and called him as their Provincial Prior at their provincial Chapter, at which the said Prior General, Brother, indeed Saint, Clement^c was present; by whose command, though unwilling, he accepted the burden of the provincialate, while the doctoral care and governance of the aforesaid studium remained his as before.

[25] The fame both of his heavenly life and his learning filled the kingdom of Apulia; he refuses the episcopate: and, enriched with so great a gift, he was elected to the summit of the episcopate, namely the twofold churches of Acerra^d and Melfi, both of which he entirely refused. At last, completing the number of his days, he closed his last day at Naples, in the convent of his Father Augustine, in the year of salvation 1327, on the sixth day of February; he dies in the year 1327, on February 6: and afterward his sacred tomb restored many languishing bodies to their former health.