ADORNO, GIOVANNI AGOSTINO

ADORNO, GIOVANNI AGOSTINO. — Co-founder of the Clerks Regular Minor (see), born in Genoa in 1551, died in Naples on 29 Sept. 1591. Following the traditions of his noble dogal family, he embarked upon a diplomatic career, visiting many Italian courts and serving on an embassy to Philip II of Spain. He later abandoned this career and placed himself under the spiritual direction of his fellow citizen Basile Pignatelli, a Theatine. When Pignatelli moved, Adorno, pausing along the way at Vallombrosa and in Rome where he received minor orders, followed him to Naples. There he devoted himself to charitable works and the assistance of those condemned to death in the Compagnia dei Bianchi (see) and was ordained a priest. He became acquainted with Fabrizio and Ascanio (the future St. Francis) Caracciolo. Retiring with the latter to the hermitage of Camaldoli at S. Salvatore, he there drew up the rule of the new congregation. They obtained from Sixtus V a papal brief of approval in Rome on 10 July 1588. In February 1591, having returned to Rome, he obtained from Gregory XIV two further briefs confirming the institution, to which the privileges of the Theatines were also granted.