Saint of the Day – 13 March – Blessed Agnellus of Pisa OFM (c1195-1236) Priest, Frair of the Order of Friars Minor, received into the Franciscans Order by Saint Francis himself., Missionary. Agnellus was the Founder of the Order in England and its First Minister Provincial. Born in c.1195 in Pisa, Italy and died on 7 May 1236 at Oxford, England of dysentery. Additional Memorials – 7 May (Franciscan) and 10 September (English Franciscans). His body was incorrupt but was destroyed during the persecutions by Henry VIII.
Agnellus was descended from an ancient noble family at Pisa. The government of the Parisian Province of the Order was entrusted to him. Later, the holy Founder sent him to England with eight companions. Here Agnellus found it possible to establish several Convents of his Order and to unite them into a Province. Due to his zeal and to his virtuous life, many young men, some from the most prominent families in England, took the Habit of the Poor Man of Assisi.
In order to provide the young clerics with a thorough education, he established a school of theology at Oxford. Meanwhile, however, he infused into them a desire for perfection and a holy fidelity to the Rule of the Order, in all of which, he led them by his own good example.
His humility was so profound that ,under no circumstances could be be prevailed upon to receive Holy Orders. Finally, however, he yielded in obedience to the General Chapter.
A great part of his time was devoted to meditation. At holy Mass and in choir, he was so overcome with interior affections that he was frequently found weeping.
Agnellus died the death of the saints in the year 1232, when he was but thirty-eight years old. His grave and the Church which he had established in Oxford in which he was buried, were destroyed during the persecution of the Catholics in the reign of Henry VIII. Pope Leo XIII solemnly confirmed the uninterrupted veneration that had been accorded to Blessed Agnellus of Pisa.
In honour of his great influence in the establishment of the University. Agnellus’ incorrupt body was preserved with great veneration at Oxford up to the dissolution of the religious houses, when the Friary and Church were destroyed. In 2014, the Conventual Franciscans re-established a Friary again in Oxford, formally dedicating and naming it the Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Friary.
Blessed Agnellus of Pisa knew that while the ambitious are always ill at ease, as to whether or not, they will be properly esteemed, or whether their dignity will be duly acknowledged, the humble live in continual peace of soul. They do not wait for approval and do not fear ill success. Their will is directed solely to the honour of God. They ehope for a reward from Him alone.
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