17 August Optional Memorial
Bl. Angelo Mazzinghi was a noted preacher, prior, and reformer, teacher of theology and was known for his pious devotion to the Holy Eucharist, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Carmelite Rule.
The exact date of his birth is unknown but was certainly before 1386. He is sometime referred to as Angelo Agostino but Agostino is his father’s name. He was received into the Carmelite Order in 1413.
He was the first member of the reformed observance of Our Lady of the Woods (S. Maria delle Selve) and served as the prior of several of the Carmelite communities. Around 1415 he was already ordained and was assigned to preach at the Selve in the years 1435-1430 and 1437 and then he was prior at Florence in the years 1435-1437.
He taught theology in both Florence and Frascati but was noted for his preaching. On one particular occasion of preaching, according to fellow Carmelite Nicholas Calciuri who was a witness, roses and lilies poured from Angelo’s mouth, which two angels wove into a crown. In his iconography, he is often shown with flowers falling from his mouth as he preaches.
Before his death he retired to a Carmelite house where he spent the remainder of his life in contemplation and meditation. Bl. Angelo died in Florence in August 1438 at the age of 53. He was buried in Santa Maria del Carmine in Florence. His relics were moved to the Brancacci Chapel in 1739 and to the main altar in 1930.
Pope Clement XIII approved of his devotion and beatified Blessed Angelo on March 7, 1761. The Florentines called him “Blessed Angiolino.”
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