dominican saints

Bl. Andrew Franchi, B.C.O.P.

Feast Day: May 30th

Born: Born in Pistoia, Italy, in 1335

Died: Died 1401

Beatified: Benedict XV in 1921 declared him Blessed

Blessed Andrew was born into the noble dei Franchi Boccagni family. He entered the Dominican Order at Pistoia about 1351, when the Italian peninsula was still under the shadow of the plague and was deeply involved in fratricidal wars. Another theory has it that he entered at Florence in 1348, which was the year the plague reached its peak. Whichever date he entered, he did so to give attention to his immortal soul, at a time when the world around him was apparently falling to pieces.

Andrew proved to be a good religious and an able administrator. He served as prior in three convents while still quite young. In 1378, he was appointed bishop of Pistoia, an office he filled with distinction and holiness for 23 years.

It is written of Andrew that he devoted himself to the poor, and spent his revenues to relieve their misery and to rebuild the ruined churches. He had a great personal devotion to Our Lady, to the Holy Childhood, and to the Three Holy Kings. As bishop, he lived a life of extreme simplicity, retaining his religious habit, and as much as he could of the rule. A year before his death, he resigned his office and retired to die at his old convent of Pistoia (Benedictines, Dorcy).

Prayers/Commemorations

First Vespers:

Ant. Strengthen by holy intercession, O Andrew, confessor of the Lord, those here present, have we who are burdened with the weight of our offenses may be relieved by the glory of thy blessedness, and may by thy guidance attain eternal rewards.

V. Pray for us, Blessed Andrew.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Lauds:

Ant. Well done, good and faithful servant, because Thou hast been faithful in a few things, I will set thee over many, sayeth the Lord.

V. The just man shall blossom like the lily.
R. And shall flourish forever before the Lord.

Second Vespers:

Ant. I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock.

V. Pray for us. Blessed Andrew.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Prayer:

Let us Pray: O God, who wast pleased that Blessed Andrew, Confessor and Pontiff, should excel by piety and doctrine in preaching Thy word and in the duties of a good shepherd, grant that through his intercession combating courageously in Thy service, we may be worthy thereby to gather abundant fruit. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pascal Times

First Vespers:

Ant. Come, O daughters of Jerusalem, and behold a Martyr with a crown wherewith the Lord crowned him on the day of solemnity and rejoicing, alleluia, alleluia.

V. Pray for us, Blessed Andrew alleluia.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ, alleluia.

Lauds:

Ant. Perpetual light will shine upon Thy Saints, O Lord, alleluia, and an eternity of ages, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

V. The just man shall blossom like the lily, alleluia.
R. And shall flourish forever before the Lord, alleluia.

Second Vespers:

Ant. In the city of the Lord the music of the Saints incessantly resounds: there the angels and archangels sing a canticle before the throne of God, alleluia.

V. Pray for us, Blessed Andrew, alleluia.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ, alleluia.

Prayer: