ALBERTO da TRAPANI, saint. — Born in this city in the 13th century (probably in 1212), he died near Messina on 7 August 1306 or 1307. He was also called Alberto degli Abbati because he came from the Florentine noble family of that name. While still very young, he took the Carmelite habit in the convent of Trapani. Ordained a priest, he devoted himself fervently to the apostolic ministry, not only in Messina, where he resided, but throughout Sicily, effecting numerous conversions, including among the Jews. He was provincial of that religious family when, in 1301, he miraculously supplied the city of Messina with provisions after it had been besieged and reduced to hunger by Roberto, duke of Calabria. Having withdrawn into solitude near Messina, he died there a saintly death. Immediately after his death he was venerated as a saint; in the Carmelite Order his feast was celebrated as early as 1411 by decree of the general chapter; his cult was permitted «vivae vocis oraculo» by Callisto III in 1457, and approved by Siato IV by a bull dated 31 May 1476. His feast is celebrated on 7 August.
Ambrogio di Santa Teresa