Anthony Pierozzi, born on March 1, 1389, was christened “Antonio”. Due to his small stature or weak health he was often called “Antoninus” (“Little Anthony”). Antoninus was born to noble parents in Florence, Italy.

The influence of the Dominicans on Antoninus’ early life led him to be admitted to the Order at the age of 15. The story goes that Antoninus approached the prior of the convent in Fiesole, Brother John Dominic, with his request to be admitted to the Order. Perhaps noticing the weak health of the aspirant and not wishing to dissuade him outright, Brother John Dominic told him to come back once he had memorized the Decretum of Gratian, or the Code of Canon Law in the Middle Ages. To the prior’s surprise, the youth returned within the year having accomplished the task required of him. He was thus admitted to the Order.

The love and zeal he had as a novice never left Antoninus. He became a great reformer by example. Having been elected as prior at a very young age, he served several houses, including three of the largest, Santa Maria Novella, Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome, and San Domenico Maggiore in Naples, bringing the reforming spirit to each of them. In 1436, he helped to found the second Dominican house in his native city, San Marco, together with Fra Angelico, many of whose works are still housed there to this day.

Antoninus served as superior for many years. He, like his brothers in faith, St. Dominic, St. Thomas Aquinas, was concerned with the formation of the friars of the Order of Preachers. Hence he prepared the Summa Moralis, a systematic and comprehensive presentation of Christian Moral Theology, which he wrote, as he said, during the summer and the winter of his life. Antoninus’ writings treated the practical aspects of living the faith.

Antoninus’ devotion to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and spiritual counsel earned him the title of Antoninus the Counselor. Such was his ability to instruct and to guide others.

Antoninus accepted into the Order, Brother John of Fiesole, the future artist, Fra Angelico. Having an eye for recognizing the gifts of others, Antoninus instructed Fra Angelico to prepare his own Summa Moralis, not in words but through his painting. Hence when the new convent of San Marco was built, Prior Antoninus had Fra Angelico grace each of the friar’s cells with a painting based on a scene from the life of Christ.

After he was appointed Archbishop of Florence, Antoninus’ residence became known as the hostel for the poor, such was his generosity and service for victims of poverty. His sensitivity to the needs of others led him to found the “Men of St. Martin,” in order to offer quiet support to the wealthy who had become indigent. Hence, the Archbishop lived out the works of mercy.

St. Antoninus died May 2, 1459. His funeral Mass was celebrated by Pope Pius II.

He was canonized by Pope Adrian VI Trinity Sunday, May 31, 1523, as a model reformer in an age very much in need of reform, a fact which Adrian was the first Pope to really grasp.

In 1559, his body was discovered to be incorrupt, and translated to the chapel where it still rests in the church of San Marco in Florence. 

-NashvilleDominicans

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint John of Avila
2. Saint Joseph de Veuster
3. Saint Comgall of Bangor
4. Saint Solange of Bourges
5. Saint Catald of Taranto