Today, August 17, is the memorial of Blessed Angelus Augustine Mazzinghi.
Carmelite provincial and reformer.
As a priest of the Carmelite Order, Angelus Augustine Mazzinghi of Florence, Italy, served successively as superior of the order’s monasteries in Le Selve, Frascati, and his native Florence.
He was the first member of the reform at Santa Maria delle Selve.
Subsequently he became the Carmelite provincial of Tuscany. His deep personal sanctity and ardent piety left a lasting mark upon the religious houses he governed.
His effectiveness as a preacher was commemorated in early artistic depictions of him portraying garlands of flowers issuing from his mouth and winding among those listening to him.
After completing his term as Tuscan provincial, he devoted the rest of his life to the ongoing reform of the Carmelite Order.
Having recognized the spiritual dangers that arise when friars live isolated from their fellow religious, Father Angelus particularly insisted that no Carmelite could accept any office that required living outside their religious community. He was also adamant that the vow of poverty be strictly interpreted and observed.
Died in 1438. Beatified in 1761..
