Andrea Franchi

Blessed

Andrea Franchi

O.P.
Bishop Emeritus of Pistoia
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
DiocesePistoia
SeePistoia
Appointed1382
Term ended29 May 1400
PredecessorGiovanni Vivenzi
SuccessorMatteo Diamanti
Orders
Consecration1382
RankBishop
Personal details
Born
Andrea Franchi

1335
Pistoia, Republic of Florence
Died26 May 1401 (aged 66)
Pistoia, Republic of Florence
NationalityItalian
Sainthood
Feast day26 May
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
Beatified21 November 1921
Saint Peter's Basilica, Kingdom of Italy
by Pope Benedict XV
Attributes

Andrea Franchi, OP (1335 - 26 May 1401) was an Italian Catholic member of the Order of Preachers who served as Bishop of Pistoia from 1382 to 1400. He was a noted preacher and evangelist with a deep commitment to the poor of his diocese.[1] The confirmation of his cultus (or popular devotion) allowed Pope Benedict XV to confirm Franchi's beatification in 1921.[2]

Life

Andrea Franchi was born in Pistoia in 1335 as the third of four children that included Francesco di Franco di Simone Franchi as well as Bartolomeo - an advisor of Pope Urban VI and Pope Boniface IX - and the Luca (who joined Franchi in the order).

Franchi studied at the Dominican convent of Santa Maria Novella in Pistoia and joined the Dominicans at the age of fourteen in 1359.[1] He was later ordained to the priesthood and became a noted preacher and evangelist. He also served as a teacher in Rome of both philosophical and theological studies. Franchi served from 1369 until 1381 as the prior of the Dominican houses in his home of Pistoia as well as Lucca and Orvieto.[1][2]

Franchi became the Bishop of Pistoia in 1382 after Pope Urban VI appointed him to that position; the new bishop received his episcopal consecration sometime in 1382. He administered to the poor and to the ill and gained the moniker of the "Father of the Poor".[1] But ill health forced him to - on 29 May 1400[2] - relinquish his episcopal see and he returned to his Pistoia convent where he remained for the final months of his life.

Franchi died in 1401. He was interred in the church of San Domenico in Pistoia and his remains were deemed to be incorrupt after their exhumation in 1613 - a sweet odor was said to have emanated from his remains following the exhumation.[2]

Beatification

Franchi received formal beatification from Pope Benedict XV on 21 November 1921 after the pontiff confirmed the late bishop's 'cultus' (or popular devotion and following).[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Blessed Andrea Franchi". Saints SQPN. 22 May 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d "Blessed Andrea Franchi". Santi e Beati. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
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