Agostino Novello
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The Blessed
Agostino Novello, originally Matteo Di Termini, was an Italian religious figure.
He was born in the first half of the 13th century, at Termini Imerese
, the village in Sicily
from which he derived his surname. As that village was near Palermo
, he is sometimes called Panormitano. On entering religion he changed his name to Agostino, and later was given the additional name of Novello.
Matteo's parents, of a noble family originally from Catalonia
in Spain
, educated him most carefully and had him instructed in all the then known sciences, first at home and afterwards in the University of Bologna
, where he studied civil and canon law. Returning to his native land, he held many positions of honor in the magistracy, fulfilling all the duties of those posts with such prudence and exactitude that King Manfred of Sicily
made him one of his counselors. In this capacity Matteo accompanied the King in the war against Charles I of Anjou, who disputed Manfred's right to the crown of Sicily; in the battle, in which Manfred was killed and his army routed, Matteo was thought to be dead, and so was left on the battlefield among the corpses of other soldiers.
Regaining consciousness, Matteo was able to reach his home; however, disillusioned with the world and with the evanescence of all earthly glory, he determined thenceforth to serve Jesus Christ, and to forsake all worldly honors and dignities. Following this decision, which some Catholics attribute to special inspiration from Heaven, Matteo asked for admission as a lay brother into the Order of St. Augustine, and was received in a convent in Tuscany
. There he took the name Agostino; and there he would live unknown to the world, far from his home and his people; devoted to exercises of piety, he lived there tranquilly until an unforeseen incident brought him once more before the world.
The title to some property belonging to the convent was claimed by a rich and learned lawyer of Siena
, Giacomo Pallares. Agostino, in a written document, defended the rights of his brethren. Pallares, who at once perceived that the humble habit of a lay-brother concealed a most learned jurist, asked to see him, and to his astonishment recognized his former fellow-student of the University of Bologna, Matteo di Termini. He lost no time in informing the ecclesiastical authorities of Agostino's identity, begging them to keep no longer in obscurity such a wealth of learning.
When Clement of Osimo, General of the Order, heard of this, he compelled Agostino, under obedience, to receive Holy Orders
, and, moreover, appointed him one of his associates. Agostino reformed the Constitutions and brought much honour on his Order, of which he ultimately became General, a position which he ultimately resigned to live in retirement, giving all his time to study, prayer, and penance, whereby he is considered by followers to have reached a high degree of perfection. Before Agostino became General, Nicholas IV
appointed Agostino his confessor and Grand Penitentiary, a position which he accepted only under obedience, and with such manifest reluctance and so many protestations of his unworthiness that the Pope
and the cardinals were visibly affected.
In his retreat in the Convent of San Leonardo, near Siena, Agostino not only dedicated himself to the practice of the virtues proper to the religious state, which he carried to an heroic degree, but, impelled by an ardent and almost consuming charity, he began collecting alms and was able to enlarge and practically rebuild an excellent orphanage and hospital for the sick and aged who had neither means to care for themselves during sickness, nor a place in which to pass their last days. Many of the miracles wrought through the intercession of Blessed Agostino were verified and authenticated. Clement XIII solemnly beatified him in 1761, and Clement XIV authorized his cult on 23 July 1770.
For a long time, his remains were preserved at the Church of St. Augustine in Siena before translated to his hometown, Termini.
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
Agostino Novello, originally Matteo Di Termini, was an Italian religious figure.
He was born in the first half of the 13th century, at Termini Imerese
Termini Imerese
Termini Imerese is a town and comune in the province of Palermo on the northern coast of Sicily, southern Italy.-Ancient:The site where the town now sits has been populated since prehistoric times, as many archeologial excavations have shown through the years...
, the village in Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
from which he derived his surname. As that village was near Palermo
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
, he is sometimes called Panormitano. On entering religion he changed his name to Agostino, and later was given the additional name of Novello.
Matteo's parents, of a noble family originally from Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, educated him most carefully and had him instructed in all the then known sciences, first at home and afterwards in the University of Bologna
University of Bologna
The Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna is the oldest continually operating university in the world, the word 'universitas' being first used by this institution at its foundation. The true date of its founding is uncertain, but believed by most accounts to have been 1088...
, where he studied civil and canon law. Returning to his native land, he held many positions of honor in the magistracy, fulfilling all the duties of those posts with such prudence and exactitude that King Manfred of Sicily
Manfred of Sicily
Manfred was the King of Sicily from 1258 to 1266. He was a natural son of the emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen but his mother, Bianca Lancia , is reported by Matthew of Paris to have been married to the emperor while on her deathbed.-Background:Manfred was born in Venosa...
made him one of his counselors. In this capacity Matteo accompanied the King in the war against Charles I of Anjou, who disputed Manfred's right to the crown of Sicily; in the battle, in which Manfred was killed and his army routed, Matteo was thought to be dead, and so was left on the battlefield among the corpses of other soldiers.
Regaining consciousness, Matteo was able to reach his home; however, disillusioned with the world and with the evanescence of all earthly glory, he determined thenceforth to serve Jesus Christ, and to forsake all worldly honors and dignities. Following this decision, which some Catholics attribute to special inspiration from Heaven, Matteo asked for admission as a lay brother into the Order of St. Augustine, and was received in a convent in Tuscany
Tuscany
Tuscany is a region in Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres and a population of about 3.75 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ....
. There he took the name Agostino; and there he would live unknown to the world, far from his home and his people; devoted to exercises of piety, he lived there tranquilly until an unforeseen incident brought him once more before the world.
The title to some property belonging to the convent was claimed by a rich and learned lawyer of Siena
Siena
Siena is a city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the province of Siena.The historic centre of Siena has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. It is one of the nation's most visited tourist attractions, with over 163,000 international arrivals in 2008...
, Giacomo Pallares. Agostino, in a written document, defended the rights of his brethren. Pallares, who at once perceived that the humble habit of a lay-brother concealed a most learned jurist, asked to see him, and to his astonishment recognized his former fellow-student of the University of Bologna, Matteo di Termini. He lost no time in informing the ecclesiastical authorities of Agostino's identity, begging them to keep no longer in obscurity such a wealth of learning.
When Clement of Osimo, General of the Order, heard of this, he compelled Agostino, under obedience, to receive Holy Orders
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
, and, moreover, appointed him one of his associates. Agostino reformed the Constitutions and brought much honour on his Order, of which he ultimately became General, a position which he ultimately resigned to live in retirement, giving all his time to study, prayer, and penance, whereby he is considered by followers to have reached a high degree of perfection. Before Agostino became General, Nicholas IV
Nicholas IV
Nicholas IV can refer to:* Pope Nicholas IV * Patriarch Nicholas IV of Constantinople * Patriarch Nicholas IV of Alexandria...
appointed Agostino his confessor and Grand Penitentiary, a position which he accepted only under obedience, and with such manifest reluctance and so many protestations of his unworthiness that the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
and the cardinals were visibly affected.
In his retreat in the Convent of San Leonardo, near Siena, Agostino not only dedicated himself to the practice of the virtues proper to the religious state, which he carried to an heroic degree, but, impelled by an ardent and almost consuming charity, he began collecting alms and was able to enlarge and practically rebuild an excellent orphanage and hospital for the sick and aged who had neither means to care for themselves during sickness, nor a place in which to pass their last days. Many of the miracles wrought through the intercession of Blessed Agostino were verified and authenticated. Clement XIII solemnly beatified him in 1761, and Clement XIV authorized his cult on 23 July 1770.
For a long time, his remains were preserved at the Church of St. Augustine in Siena before translated to his hometown, Termini.