A Sicilian nobleman and brilliant law professor, Matthew of Termini changed his life after narrowly escaping death at the Battle of Benevento in 1266. Becoming a lay brother under the name Augustine Novello, he concealed his learning until a brilliant legal memorandum revealed his identity. He ended his life as General of his order and confessor to the Pope before retiring to solitude near Siena.
Guided reading
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BLESSED AUGUSTINE NOVELLO (1309).
Origins and civil career
Matthew of Termini, from a noble Siculo-Catalan family, became a renowned jurist in Bologna and a high dignitary at the court of Manfred.
Matthew of Termini Mathieu de Termini Sicilian jurist who became General of the Order of Saint Augustine. was from Sicily and belonged to a noble family from Catalonia that had come to settle there. He studied law in Bologna and made a reputation for himself as a skilled professor. Later, having returned to Sicily, he held dignities at the court Manfred King of Sicily, at whose court Mathieu de Termini served. of Manfred: he took p art in the Battle of bataille de Bénévent Decisive battle in 1266 where the saint was left for dead. Benevento, where Manfred perished, and was counted among the dead in 1266.
Conversion and religious life
After nearly dying at the Battle of Benevento, he entered the Hermits of Saint Augustine under the name Augustine Novello, concealing his identity.
Matthew of Termini, seeing himself on the verge of death, made a serious reflection upon himself; he understood the vanity of earthly things and promised God, if he were to recover, to dedicate himself entirely to His service. He returned to health and kept his word. He entered the Hermits of Saint Augustine, where he took the name Au Augustin Novello Sicilian jurist who became General of the Order of Saint Augustine. gustine Novello (new Augustine). Concealing his learning and his name under the modest habit of a lay brother, he let it remain unknown who he was.
Fortuitous revelation of his identity
His legal genius is revealed during a trial where he writes a brilliant brief, forcing the recognition of his former identity by an opposing lawyer.
The convent had to sustain a lawsuit that caused the brothers much anxiety. Augustine could not resist it; he went to find the superior, begging him to give him what was needed to write. The latter, astonished, and believing that Brother Augustine could barely read, only yielded to his repeated requests. Augustine drafted a brief that was short, but luminous and so strong that the lawyer for the opposing party could not help but exclaim: It is the devil or an angel, or Matthew of Termini, who was said to have died at the Battle of Benevento, who wrote this document.
He wanted to see the author of the writing, recognized him and embraced him with joy, and announced to the Augustinians that they had a treasure in their midst.
Ecclesial responsibilities and retirement
Having become a priest and General of his Order, he served as confessor to the Pope before retiring into solitude near Siena until his death.
The General of the Augustinia ns, Clement of Clément d'Osimo General of the Augustinians who brought Augustine to Rome. Osimo, took him to Rome some time later, where he had him receive the priesthood and tasked him with revising the constitutions of his Order. For twenty-two years, much to his regret, Augustine was the Pope's confessor. He was venerated at the Pontiff's court and regarded as a Saint. In 1298, elected General of the Third Order, he accepted only upon the express order of the Pope, and two years later he renounced his dignity to retire to the vicinity of Siena in the hermitage of Saint Leonard. He devoted the last ten years of his life to prayer and contemplation, and rendered his soul to God in 1309 Clément XIII Pope who granted indulgences for the cult of Saint Gregory. . Clement XIII approved his cult in 1759.
Cult and sources
Pope Clement XIII officially approved his cult in 1759.
All modern hagiographers.
LIVES OF THE SAINTS. — VOLUME V.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Law studies in Bologna
- Career at the court of Manfred in Sicily
- Participation in the Battle of Benevento in 1266
- Entered the Hermits of Saint Augustine under the name Augustine Novello
- Drafting of a decisive legal brief revealing his identity
- Revision of the constitutions of the Order of Saint Augustine
- Confessor to the Pope for twenty-two years
- Election as General of the Order in 1298
- Retreat at the hermitage of Saint Leonard near Siena in 1300
- Beatification by Clement XIII in 1759
Quotes
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It is the devil or an angel, or Matthew of Termini, who was said to have died at the Battle of Benevento, who drafted this document.
Opposing counsel