Agazzari, Filippo degli

AGAZZARI, Filippo degli. - A Sienese Augustinian, of the noble house of the A., b. in 1339, d. 30 Oct. 1422. Having overcome his parents' opposition, at the age of fifteen (1353) he took the habit of the Hermits of St. Augustine in the convent of Lecceto near Siena, where he had as his guide the Bl. Nicola Tini dei Marescotti. A summons from the prior general, Father Gregorio da Rimini, while visiting Lecceto (1357), brought him back to fervor. From 1398 until his death, he was prior.

Of edifying and most industrious life, he transcribed many books for the use of his confreres. He is commonly called Blessed. Of his many writings there remain the Assempri ("Examples"), of which two autograph manuscripts are preserved in the municipal library of Siena (1st ed. by F. C. Carpellini, Siena 1864). They are 62 tales, written in the lively speech of the people of Siena, whose customs they reflect, with a sober and dramatic touch. Their purpose is to correct the dominant vices of that time, particularly gambling and usury among men (almost all the usurers of the Assempri die in despair), and vanity and "face-painting" among women. The marvelous dominates them, at times terrifying, familiar to the lively popular faith of the 14th century; the devil plays a great part in them as tempter and executioner.

Francesco Tinello