Bl. Augustine Fangi

Agostino Fangi was born in Biella, Piedmont, in 1430 and joined the Dominicans young. He served as prior of several friaries, including Soncino, Vigevano and Venice, and worked to restore strict observance of the order's rule.

He suffered a painful skin disease for much of his life, and was known for visiting the sick and spending long hours hearing confessions. He died in Venice in 1493, saying "Praise be to God, praise to the Most High!" Pius IX confirmed his cult in 1872, and his remains rest in Biella.

Legend and tradition. Dominican tradition says that as prior of Soncino he brought back to life a baby who had died unbaptised.

Augustine Fangi was beatified in 1878.

Beatification allows public veneration, usually in a particular region or religious family. Canonization extends it to the whole Church.