Andrew Corsini

Who they were

Andrew of the illustrious Corsini family was born in Florence in 1302. Wild and dissolute in youth, he was shaken by what his mother told him had happened before his birth, became a Carmelite in his native city and began a life of great mortification. He studied at Paris and Avignon and returned to become the apostle of Florence, regarded as a prophet and wonder-worker.

Named bishop of Fiesole, he fled, but a child found his hiding place and he accepted. As bishop he redoubled his austerities, was lavish to the poor and was sought everywhere as a peacemaker, notably at Bologna as papal legate between nobles and people. He died in 1373, aged 71.

The miracles

So many miracles followed his death that Eugene IV allowed public veneration at once; the details examined for his canonisation are not given in the sources we have used.

Why that counted as sanctity

A dissolute young man became a penitent, a preacher and a bishop of the poor, and spent himself making peace.

Connected on this site

• Anzelm Gądek Servant of God
  “He took the Carmelite habit at Czerna in 1901 as Brother Anzelm of Saint Andrew Corsini, made his profession in 1902 and was ordained priest in Rome on 25 July 1907.” — this site's research