Andrew Corsini was a 14th-century Italian Carmelite friar and the Bishop of Fiesole. Born into a noble Florentine family, he initially lived a dissolute life before undergoing a profound spiritual conversion following his mother's rebuke. He joined the Carmelite order, where he practiced intense asceticism, and later served as a diplomat and prelate. Known as the "Apostle of Florence," he was celebrated for his dedication to the poor and his ability to mediate between conflicting political factions. He died in Fiesole in early 1374.
Life and service
After entering the Carmelites, Corsini studied in Paris and Avignon before returning to Florence. He served as a provincial for his order and was eventually appointed Bishop of Fiesole in 1349. Though initially reluctant to accept this role, he embraced his duties with extreme austerity, often wearing a hair shirt. He acted as a papal legate in Bologna, where his humble lifestyle helped him successfully reconcile the nobility with the common people.
Veneration and legacy
Following his death, reports of miracles at his tomb led to his beatification by Pope Eugene IV in 1440 and his canonization by Pope Urban VIII in 1629. He is recognized as a wonderworker within the Catholic tradition. His memory is honored through various artworks, including a statue in Saint Peter's Square and several paintings, some of which depict his reported visions of the Virgin Mary.