Venerable Augustine Adorno
Venerable John Augustine Adorno was born to a noble family in 1551 in Genoa. Brought up in the ways of a young gentleman, he entered the arena of diplomacy and eventually left for Spain in 1573. While visiting the Dominican Church in Valencia in 1573 he met Saint Louis Bertrand who foretold that he would be the founder of a new religious Order. While living in Granada, he squandered his money on gambling, partying and other frivolous pastimes. He eventually returned to Genoa in 1579. Attending Lenten meditations with his mother in the church of Saint Siro in Genoa, he heard the voice of God and his heart was moved to conversion. After consulting with God by means of fasts, prayers, and vigils, he felt called to found a new religious Order in the Church. He left for Naples and met Fabrizio Caracciolo and Saint Francis Caracciolo. There, they began the framework for a new Order. He was a model of sanctity before his fellow religious. His love for God was manifested continually throughout his life. After an illness, he died peacefully on Setember 19, 1591.
Lord. Almighty God,
by means of the Mother of your Son, the Blessed Virgin Mary,
You inspired Venerable Augustine Adorno
to become the Founder of a new religious Family in your Church,
the Clerics Regular Minor.
Through his intercession,
help us to keep our everyday actions and our apostolic service
imbued with the spirit of prayer and contemplation
in order that we may be true and visible signs of your presence,
your love and your mercy in the world.
Amen.