ALESSANDRO da S. ELPIDIO. - Augustinian theologian and canonist, born in 1265 at S. Elpidio in the March of Ancona. He is attributed the surname Fassitelli, although it is not mentioned by contemporary historians. Having entered the Hermits of St. Augustine, he studied in Egidio Romano (v.), and obtained the degree of bachelor. In 1300 he was appointed rector of the Order’s house of studies at the papal court in Anagni; he then returned to the province of the Marches as provincial definitor. In 1307 he was again in Paris, as master and professor of theology, until in 1312 he was elected prior general of his Order, an office which he held for five successive terms. In
1326 he was raised to the episcopal see of Melfi in Lucania. He died a few months later.
He distinguished himself by his zeal for regular observance, especially silence and poverty, combined with uncommon prudence in government. He also reorganized ecclesiastical studies within his Order. He employed his outstanding intellectual gifts in the service of the sacred sciences and papal authority.
Most of his works remain unpublished. Only the following were printed: De inisidizione imperii et auctoritate summi Pontificis (Lyon 1498, 1538; Rimini 1624); Tractatus de ecclesiastica potestate (Turin 1496; Rimini 1624, and in the Biblioteca pontificia of T. Roccabrati, II, Rome 1695, pp. 1-40).