Lived: ????-1309
Feast Day: Feast Day
Pope Blessed Under:(Clement XIV) (1770)
Also known as
Matthew of Taormina, Agostino began as a secular
scholar to the king of
Sicily. After being left to die on the
battlefield, he became disillusioned with earthly
power and followed
Jesus. For years he lived in solitude, cut off from his home and his old
friends. Then he took a case against a rich lawyer who claimed on a legal technicality the Church's
land.
Agostino brilliantly defended the Church's claim, and the opposing
lawyer recognized the brilliance of none other than his former classmate. Agostino was brought before
Clement of Osimo who made him an associate of the order. Agostino quickly brought needed reforms to the orders
constitution and organization. He was selected as the Pope's
confessor, although he pleaded that he was unworthy. Finally, he retired and devoted his life to study, prayer, and rebuilding an
orphanage.
Source(s): newadvent.org
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