Illustration of Blessed Augustine of Tarano by János Hajnal in Il fascino di Dio: Profili de agiografia agostiniana by Fernando Rojo Martínez, O.S.A. Copyright © 2000 Pubblicazioni Agostiniane Rome. Used with permission.
Original art preserved in the Office of Augustinian Postulator of Causes, Rome
Blessed Augustine of Tarano
May 19
Augustine (died 1309?) was a leader of the Augustinian Order known for his humility, his zeal for religious observance and his love of contemplation in a setting of community brotherhood.
Born in Tarano, Matthew Novello earned his Doctorate in Civil and Canon (Church) Law at Bologna. He served in the court of King Manfred of Sicily.
After a period of time in the royal court, he entered the Augustinian Order, taking the name Augustine. At first he concealed his experience in the court and his Doctorate in Law. Later, his community became involved in a property dispute. The Order's lawyer was a former colleague. He recognized Augustine. Augustine then admitted his true background.
Blessed Clement brought him to Rome, where he was ordained a Priest. He served as penitentiary in the Roman Curia, and was chosen as Prior General of the Order in 1298. He collaborated with Blessed Clement in the revision of the Regensburg Constitutions of the Order (the basic law by which the Order is governed).
He resigned that office two years later, and retired to the hermitage of Saint Leonard near Siena. He was instrumental in the establishment of Santa Maria della Scala Hospital in Siena. He died in Siena on May 19 of either 1309 or 1310. His remains were for a long time preserved at the Church of Saint Augustine, Siena, but are now at Termini Imerese in Sicily. Pope Clement XIII declared him Blessed in 1761.