Blessed Augustine of Biella,
Friar and Priest
(A.D. 1493)

Bl. Augustine Fangi was born of noble parents at Bugella, also called Biella, in Piedmont, in the first half of the fifteenth century, and received the Dominican habit at an early age in the convent of his native place. He led a life of extreme innocence and rigorous penance, and was gifted with an heroic patience, of which he gave proof under a terrible illness with which he was visited, and in which he was covered with ulcers from head to foot. During the long and cruel surgical operations to which he was subjected, he remained absorbed in prayer, uniting his sufferings with those of his Divine Master, and not even uttering a groan. His prayer was continual, and in it he was often seen raised from the ground in ecstasy. He had the gift of tears, which flowed abundantly from his eyes, especially when he was saying Mass or reciting Office in Choir. His miracles were very numerous, especially in casting out devils. He raised to life an infant who had died without baptism ; and on one occasion, seeing a boy weeping inconsolably for having broken a vessel full of wine, he was touched with compassion, made the sign of the Cross over the fragments, and restored the vessel to him, whole and full of wine as before. He governed many Convents with much charity and prudence, restoring regular discipline where it had become relaxed, and giving a fresh impulse to fervent Communities. The success of his preaching and his many miracles drew upon him what is ever the most painful portion of the Saints—the esteem and admiration of men. To escape these distasteful honors, he begged to be removed to some Convent where he was unknown, and was accordingly sent to Venice, in which city he passed the last ten years of his life. His renown followed him, and was transformed after his death into religious veneration.