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Blessed Clement of Osimo and Blessed Augustine of Tarano

May 19

Blessed Clement of Osimo

Clement (died 1291) was a leader of the Augustinian Order known for his spirit of fraternal charity and life of poverty. He was considered to be a holy man and a worker of miracles.

He was born around the beginning of the 13th Century in the region of Marcas, Italy, probably in San Elpidio.

As a young man, he entered the Augustinians in Brettino. He was chosen Prior Provincial of the Province of Marche of Ancona in 1269. He was twice selected as Prior General of the Order, serving in that role from 1271 to 1274, when he resigned his office and returned to a more quiet way of life. But he was again elected Prior General in 1284, this time unanimously. He served in that office until his death in 1291.

He, along with Blessed Augustine of Tarano, helped revise the Regensburg Constitutions of the Order (the basic law by which the Order is governed). He encouraged formal studies on the part of the friars, and founded five schools where those studies could be undertaken. He supported the establishment of libraries. He insisted on proper observance of the Augustinian way of life. He promoted the foundation of Augustinian houses for women.

Clement died April 8, 1291. He was first buried at the Augustinian house in Orvieto. Later his remains were divided, with a portion remaining in Orvieto, and other portions sent for burial in Osimo and in San Elpidio. In the early 18th Century, most of his remains were gathered together and reburied at St. Augustine Church, Rome. Since 1970 his remains are preserved at the General Headquarters of the Order in Rome. Pope Clement XIII proclaimed him Blessed in 1759.

Blessed Augustine of Tarano

Augustine (died 1309?) was a leader of the Augustinian Order known for his humility, his zeal for religious observance and his love of contemplation in a setting of community brotherhood.

Born in Tarano, Matthew Novello earned his Doctorate in Civil and Canon (Church) Law at Bologna. He served in the court of King Manfred of Sicily.

After a period of time in the royal court, he entered the Augustinian Order, taking the name Augustine. At first he concealed his experience in the court and his Doctorate in Law. Later, his community became involved in a property dispute. The Order's lawyer was a former colleague and recognized Augustine. He then admitted his true background.

Blessed Clement brought him to Rome, where he was ordained a Priest. He served as penitentiary in the Roman Curia, and was chosen as Prior General of the Order in 1298. He collaborated with Blessed Clement in the revision of the Regensburg Constitutions of the Order (the basic law by which the Order is governed).

He resigned that office two years later, and retired to the hermitage of Saint Leonard near Siena. He was instrumental in the establishment of Santa Maria della Scala Hospital in Siena. He died in Siena on May 19 of either 1309 or 1310. His remains were for a long time preserved at the Church of Saint Augustine, Siena, but are now at Termini Imerese in Sicily. Pope Clement XIII declared him Blessed in 1761.

Is God Calling You to the Augustinians?

Would you like to follow in the footsteps of Blessed Augustine of Tarano and Blessed Clement of Osimo? If so, perhaps God is calling you to the Augustinians. For information about Augustinian vocations, or to contact the Augustinian Vocations Director for help in your vocational discernment:

     » Visit the Augustinian Vocations pages

Illustrations of Blesseds Clement of Osimo and Augustine of Tarano by János Hajnal
in Il fascino di Dio: Profili de agiografia agostiniana by Fernando Rojo Martínez, O.S.A.
Copyright © 2000 Pubblicazioni Agostiniane Rome. Used with permission.
Original art preserved in the Office of Augustinian Postulator of Causes, Rome