TEOFILO da CORTE, saint. - Friar Minor, in the world Biagio dei Signori, b. at Corte (Corsica) on 30 Oct. 1676, d. at Fucecchio (diocese of S. Miniato) on 19 May 1740.
Having entered the Franciscans of Corte in 1693, after a sound cultural formation in Rome and Naples, he devoted himself to preaching with extraordinary success. Yet his activity was directed not so much toward the souls of the world as rather toward the apostolate for a greater perfection of the convents of his Order, restoring them to a closer adherence to the rules and norms of s. Francesco, from which many had departed, to the detriment of discipline and with sterility in works of charity. Thus, together with the b. Tommaso da Cori, he promoted the transformation into “Retreats” of the convents of Bellegra, Palombara, Zuani, and Fucecchio, overcoming the strongest opposition. Excessive zeal and labor weakened his constitution under the scourge of fever and exhaustion, which led him to the grave.
He was beatified in 1896 and canonized by Pio XI in 1931. Feast day: 19 May.