A convert from a dissolute life

Somebody I was with very recently told me ‘I was wild in my youth’, so I was intrigued to learn a little from Wikipedia about the Italian Carmelite Saint for today little known in these islands, St Andrew Corsini OCD (1302-1373/4), because the article tells us that ‘he led a wild and dissolute life' in his youth’ and it pained his devout mother. His parents severely rebuked him for his behaviour, and he resolved to amend his ways and try to live up to their expectations. He decided to become a friar and joined the Carmelites in Florence in 1318; he then began a life of great mortification. In an OCDS meeting recently we were studying the chapter in Teresa’s Way of Perfection where she warns the nuns about clinging on to their families in monastic life, so I was struck by the fact that when St Andrew was ordained to the priesthood in 1328, he said his first Mass in a hermitage so as to avoid the customary family celebrations. Upon learning of this appointment as Bishop of Fiesole, the reluctant Corsini went into hiding. When so many ambitious people crave leadership positions, I find this humility and even holy timidity admirable.

Intercessions

Marie, Bernard, Agnes, David – cancer

Rosemarie – multiple afflictions

Elara, Siena – sick children

Heather – newly a mother, and her baby