Oratory of Eternal Wisdom
An association or company of ecclesiastics and laity desirous of a more intense spiritual life, born and flourishing in Milan (early 1500s) through the efforts of Monsignor GIOVANNI ANTONIO BELLOTTI, a native of Ravenna, who, having moved to France, had been made commendatory abbot of the abbey of S. Antonio in Grenoble.
The Oratory had its seat near the monastery of the Augustinian nuns of S. Marta, where the venerable Arcangela Panigarola was prioress; she may have suggested its name, having a particular devotion to this divine attribute personified in the Word. Unlike the Company of Divine Love, in the Milanese Oratory the discipline of secrecy did not prevail, and the number of members was not limited. It could include regular and secular ecclesiastics, religious and laity of both sexes; among its members are remembered Cardinal GUGLIELMO BRIÇONNET; GIACOMO SIMONETTA, bishop of Pesaro and later cardinal; FRANCESCO SIMONETTA, bishop of Perugia; Monsignor FRANCESCO TORRELLA.