Angelo da Clareno facts for kids
Angelo da Clareno (born around 1248, died June 15, 1337) was an important religious leader. He started a group called the Fraticelli in the early 1300s.
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Life Story
Angelo's real name was Pietro da Fossombrone. He was born around 1248. Around 1270, he joined the Franciscan order. He felt that the rules of St. Francis were not being followed properly. So, he and some friends went to live in a quiet place. They started a new group called the "Clareni." They were also known as "Spirituals." They were much inspired by the writings of a monk named Joachim of Floris.
A special order from Pope Sixtus IV told the "Clareni" to rejoin the main Franciscan group. But Angelo's group was small. The other Franciscans did not like Angelo's strict ideas. They thought he was too extreme. The leader of the Franciscans in his area had Angelo and other leaders arrested. They were called heretics and rebels. They were put in prison for nine years. In 1289, a new leader, Raymond Gaufredi, ordered them to be set free.
Gaufredi worried they would still be in danger. So, he sent them to Armenia Minor. This was a place where the king had asked the Pope for help. He wanted some friars to teach his people. Angelo went with Tommaso da Tolentino, Marco da Montelupone, and Pietro da Macerata. They did well there. But other friars in the area became jealous. Angelo and his friends were forced to leave Armenia in late 1293.
Angelo and Peter of Macerata were called to Cyprus. They wanted Angelo to explain himself to the king. But another leader held them as outcasts. Their work in Armenia was stopped. So, they decided to go back to Italy. However, they were told they were not welcome there. So, Gaufredi and others told them to ask the new pope for help. This was Pope Celestine V.
Pope Celestine V freed them from their promises to their old Franciscan leaders. He made them a separate group called the Poor Hermits. They could live in the monasteries of the Celestines. He chose Peter of Macerata as their leader. Peter took the name Brother Liberato. Pope Celestine V also named Cardinal Napoleone Orsini as their helper. Celestine V was 79 when he became pope. He did not have much experience. He resigned after only six months. The popes who came after him were not as kind to Angelo's group. When Liberato died in 1307, Angelo became the new leader.
In 1311, Angelo went to Avignon. He had to answer a charge that he was a heretic. After a long and detailed check, he was found innocent. Angelo left Avignon in late 1312. He went to Majorca and stayed there for almost two months. He was with Prince Philip, the son of James I of Majorca. He returned to Avignon in the spring of 1313. But the Franciscans in Tuscany were against him. So, he went to Sicily for safety. He was protected by Federico III of Aragon.
In 1317, Pope John XXII issued an order. It officially ended all the different Franciscan groups. Angelo then had to join the Celestines. But the Celestine leader would not let him stay in their monasteries. Instead, a Benedictine abbot named Bartolomeo welcomed him. This was at the Sacro Speco di Subiaco. From there, Angelo sent letters to his friars. They lived in quiet hermitages or scattered in other monasteries.
In 1334, Pope John XXII ordered that Angelo be taken. But Abbot Bartholomew refused to give him up. Angelo was able to leave Subiaco. He went towards the Kingdom of Naples. There, Prince Philip of Majorca and other "Spirituals" at Queen Sancia's court helped him.
Angelo was highly respected by the Augustinian Hermits. He was good friends with them. Especially with Gentile da Foligno and Simone da Cassia. Simone was a famous writer about spiritual life. Angelo wrote letters to both of them. After Angelo died, Simone was very sad. He had lost a friend and spiritual guide. It is likely that the Fraticelli whom Simone later defended in court were followers of Angelo.
In 1337, Angelo went to a small hermitage. It was called Santa Maria d'Aspro. It was near Marsicovetere in Basilicata. He died there.
His Writings
Angelo Clareno wrote a book called Chronica septem tribulationum Ordinis Minorum. This book tells about the hard times the "Spirituals" faced. It starts from when St. Francis was in the East. It continues under other leaders. This book shows great strength. But it also has some strong opinions and sadness. Another important book by Angelo is the Declaratio regulae Minorum.
Angelo Clareno was one of the best translators from Greek in the Middle Ages. His friends were so amazed by his Greek knowledge. They thought he learned it in a miracle. He translated the Rule of St. Basil from Greek into Latin. He also translated the Dialogue of St. Macharius. And he translated the Scala Paradisi by John Climacus. In his book Expositio Regulae Fratrum Minorum, he included long parts from Greek Fathers that he had translated.
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